Trump rallies in Iowa as Senate nominee Hinson balances loyalty and independence

President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally Thursday in Sioux City, Iowa, where Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ashley Hinson plans to join him, as she tries to keep the support of his backers while emphasizing her willingness to disagree with him.

Ahead of the trip, Trump announced an $8 billion package of one-time relief payments for farmers dealing with higher fertilizer and diesel costs, Dakota News Now reported. The outlet said the package follows $12 billion in payments earlier this year and $14 billion about two weeks ago. The rally is set for Sioux Gateway Airport, according to the outlet.

Hinson, a member of the U.S. House, faces Democratic state lawmaker Josh Turek. According to an Associated Press report carried by KCRG, News4JAX and KSAT, she began her campaign last year promoting Trump's endorsement and pledging to be his top Senate ally, but now describes herself as a bipartisan advocate for Iowa. At a debate, she said, "I'll be President Trump's ally when it is important for Iowa, but I will push back on him," KCRG reported.

The AP report listed several breaks with the president. In August, Hinson opposed his plan to increase foreign beef imports, saying it would harm Iowa farmers. She did not join two Iowa House colleagues who voted against allowing the Iran war to continue without congressional approval, but she later said the conflict had become too expensive and should end. She has also criticized easing sanctions on Russia in exchange for diesel fuel.

The AP report said polling from late September and early October showed Hinson winning roughly one in ten voters who disapprove of Trump while keeping strong support among those who approve of him. Dakota News Now cited national polling showing the race tied, and a New York Times poll putting Trump's approval at 36%, which it called a record low.

Turek, who held an event in Sioux City on Tuesday, said Trump's tariffs and the Iran war have hurt Iowa more than any other state, according to the AP report. He has called Hinson a rubber stamp for the president, while saying in a television ad that he would work with Trump on border security. Republicans say he is posing as a moderate, the AP reported.

Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters told Dakota News Now the party's midterm strategy centers on turnout and putting Trump front and center. Yet the outlet cited AdImpact data showing fewer than one in every 100 dollars spent on Republican ads went to commercials mentioning Trump.

Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann said Trump is expected to return to the state Nov. 1, the AP reported. Republican activist Kelley Koch, who backs Hinson, told the AP she worries about complacency among conservatives and dislikes talk of pushing back on Trump. "Right now, we had better unite around our president," Koch said.

Compiled by True News from reporting by KCRG, News4JAX, KSAT and Dakota News Now. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/360