GOP Senate Hopeful Campaigns with State Candidates in Scott County

Jim Carlin, a former state legislator, is running against Rep. Ashley Hinson in the Republican primary for an open U.S. Senate seat.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A serene, painterly image of an Iowa state government building in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of political nostalgia and the importance of local campaigning.In a pivotal swing county, GOP Senate hopefuls court voters with a mix of political experience and outsider appeal.Sioux City Today

Jim Carlin, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Iowa, joined state-level GOP candidates to campaign in Scott County. Carlin, a former state legislator and trial attorney from Sioux City, is running against U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in the Republican primary for an open Senate seat.

Why it matters

The race for the open U.S. Senate seat in Iowa is expected to be highly competitive, with the Republican primary drawing significant attention. Carlin's campaign stop in Scott County, a key swing county, signals his efforts to build support across the state ahead of the primary election.

The details

Carlin, who previously served in the Iowa state legislature, is seeking to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of the incumbent. He is running against U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who currently represents Iowa's 1st congressional district.

  • Carlin joined state-level GOP candidates to campaign in Scott County on April 15, 2026.

The players

Jim Carlin

A Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Iowa, Carlin is a former state legislator and trial attorney from Sioux City.

Ashley Hinson

A U.S. Representative from Iowa's 1st congressional district, Hinson is also running in the Republican primary for the open U.S. Senate seat.

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The takeaway

Carlin's campaign stop in the swing county of Scott signals his efforts to build support across Iowa ahead of the competitive Republican primary for the open U.S. Senate seat.