In 2016, Hinson ran for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 67 and won, becoming the first woman to hold that seat. She served two terms, winning elections in both 2016 and 2018. During her time in the state legislature, she was active on the Judiciary, Public Safety, and Transportation Committees—chairing several—and worked on appropriations for transportation and infrastructure.
In 2020, Hinson challenged and narrowly defeated incumbent Democrat Abby Finkenauer to represent Iowa’s 1st Congressional District—making her one of Iowa’s first two Republican women elected to the U.S. House. Due to redistricting, she has served Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District since 2023, which includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque, and other parts of northeastern Iowa. She was re-elected in 2022 by defeating Democratic state senator Liz Mathis, and again in 2024, earning 57.1% of the vote against Sarah Corkery.
Ashley Hinson will face off against Josh Turek in the November general election. Turek, who defeated Zach Walls in the Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senator seat.
