Turek and Hinson debate healthcare, tariffs and diesel

Turek and Hinson debate healthcare, tariffs and diesel Turek and Hinson debate healthcare, tariffs and diesel Eva Jansen, Politics Reporter October 14, 2026 Iowa’s U.S. Senate candidates Ashley Hinson (R) and Josh Turek (D). Photo courtesy of NBC. Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson, Iowa candidates for U.S. Senate, debated on healthcare, diesel prices, tariffs and Social Security Tuesday at 9 p.m. as the Nov. 3 general election approaches. Josh Turek, the Democratic nominee from Council Bluffs, Iowa, is serving in the Iowa House of Representatives for the 20th District and is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist.  Ashley Hinson, the Republican nominee from Des Moines, Iowa, currently represents Iowa’s 2nd district in the U.S. House, after serving in the Iowa House for the 67th District. Healthcare in rural Iowa The moderator read out a section of a letter sourced from MercyOne Ottumwa Family and Internal Medicine. The letter detailed the permanent closure of the clinic, located in Ottumwa, Iowa.  These two healthcare facilities operate more than 50% of hospital facilities around the state, and the closure of the Ottumwa clinic creates healthcare access worries for rural Iowans.   “I was proud to support the rural health transformation fund as a part of the working family’s tax cut bill, so that we could make sure people can access that healthcare no matter what their ZIP code is,” Hinson said. Hinson went on to talk about investments in healthcare across Iowa counties.  “I’m going to do everything I can for every Iowan, whether it’s in a rural community or an urban community, to have access to affordable and accessible healthcare,” Turek said. Diesel prices President Donald Trump recently made a deal to bring Russian diesel into the U.S. to lower gas prices. The concern revolves around the money the U.S. is giving to Russia, due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. “I am hearing from Iowans talking about gas prices and diesel prices, but I don’t think it should be at the expense of benefiting the economy of someone like a Vladimir Putin who we clearly can not trust,” Turek said. Turek explained he would suspend the federal and state gas tax temporarily while opening strategic oil reserves and suspending the exports of diesel. “We need to lower diesel prices, but I don’t think we need to be making a deal with Russia to do it,” Hinson said. Hinson said she would seek to temporarily lower the gas tax and look to diesel rebate programs for producers in Iowa while investing in America’s biofuels. She also said she would like to put a biodiesel tax credit into place. Tariffs In July, there was a 50% tariff on some Canadian goods, raising tensions between America and Canada and raising prices for Americans on Canadian goods.   “Nobody loves tariffs, but what I like even less is an unlevel playing field for Americans and for our farmers,” Hinson said. Farmers in Iowa export to Canada more than any country in the world; therefore, the trading disputes hurt them.  “We certainly need to have tariffs to protect American manufacturing and American jobs, but not off the backs of the agricultural industry or off of our farmers,” Turek said. Social Security  A Social Security trustees report stated that by the end of 2032 the program will become insolvent if we stay on the track we are going on.  “Social Security is an earned benefit, and I want to do everything I can to protect this earned benefit to the 700,000 Iowans that rely on Social Security and Medicare,” Turek said. Hinson shared similar sentiments.  “We need to be able to work together to make sure that we keep Social Security solvent for generations to come,” Hinson said. To learn more about how to vote Nov. 3, visit the Iowa Secretary of State webpage. 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Tags: ashley hinson Josh Turek Donate to Iowa State Daily $6,633 $10,000 Contributed Our Goal Your donation will support the student journalists of the Iowa State Daily. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment, send our student journalists to conferences and off-set their cost of living so they can continue to do best-in-the-nation work at the Iowa State Daily. For donation amounts over $500, please contact [email protected] or send a check to 612 Farmhouse Ln., Ames IA 50011. 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