Ashley Hinson

Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Josh Turek and Zach Wahls each reported raising more than $1.1 million in the first three months of 2026, while Republican frontrunner U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson raked in more than $2.3 million, building on her substantial fundraising lead.

The federal campaign finance reports, which cover Jan. 1 through March 31, continue to show a tight race between Turek and Wahls for the Democratic nomination and a large advantage for Hinson in the Republican race.

Turek, a state representative from Council Bluffs, and Wahls, a state senator from Coralville, each raised $1.22 million, with Turek ahead by just $222.

The two campaigns had similar spending in the most recent quarter — $763,000 for Turek compared with $800,000 for Wahls. But Wahls maintains his cash-on-hand advantage with $1.06 million in the bank compared with Turek's $757,000.

Turek said his fundraising came from nearly 53,000 individual donors who gave an average of $33.

"Josh Turek is building the movement that will secure wins in both June and November," Turek's campaign manager, Brendan Koch, said in a statement. "He's the only candidate in this race — Democrat or Republican — who isn’t a millionaire, and he's the only candidate in this primary who has even run against a Republican. People know that he's going to Washington for all the right reasons, and that he's Democrats' best shot at taking Sen. Tom Harkin's seat back."

Wahls said in an interview that "we're very excited about our numbers."

"Our campaign is grounded in Iowa," he said. "We’re leading in endorsements and fundraising and polling. This is not a campaign for Washington. I’m willing to take on the status quo, which is not working for Iowans, it’s not helping our families … and it’s just clear that it’s time to make a change."

Both campaigns have improved their fundraising and cash on hand from the final quarter of 2025.

Ashley Hinson's war chest grows to $6.5 million

Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa's 2nd District in Congress, reported raising more than $2.3 million in the first quarter, which her campaign said rises to more than $3 million when including fundraising through joint committees.

She spent $1 million during the quarter and has more than $6.5 million in cash on hand.

"Iowans of all walks of life and all political parties are supporting Ashley — Team Hinson is growing every single day," Hinson's deputy campaign manager, Addie Lavis, said in a statement. "While Schumer and Democrats squabble over their eventual nominee, Republicans are united behind Ashley."

Former state Sen. Jim Carlin reported raising more than $46,700, including $8,220 from individual donors and $37,700 in the form of a loan from himself. He ended the quarter with $14,579 in the bank.

Carlin has loaned his campaign more than $193,000 across the election cycle, accounting for the majority of the $297,000 he has raised since launching his campaign.

Libertarian Thomas Laehn reported raising $4,070 and spending $4,061. He has $5,514 in cash on hand.

Jim Carlin, Republican

Raised this quarter: $46,783

Raised this election cycle: $297,271

Spent this quarter: $64,618

Spent this election cycle: $280,921

Cash on hand: $14,579

US Rep. Ashley Hinson, Republican

Raised this quarter: $2,375,039

Raised this election cycle: $7,316,636

Spent this quarter: $1,029,158

Spent this election cycle: $2,873,926

Cash on hand: $6,516,143

State Rep. Josh Turek, Democrat

Raised this quarter: $1,122,303

Raised this election cycle: $2,808,701

Spent this quarter: $763,297

Spent this election cycle: $2,051,221

Cash on hand: $757,480

State Sen. Zach Wahls, Democrat

Raised this quarter: $1,122,081

Raised this election cycle: $3,167,655

Spent this quarter: $800,157

Spent this election cycle: $2,112,265

Cash on hand: $1,055,406

Thomas Laehn, Libertarian

Raised this quarter: $4,070

Raised this election cycle: $42,945

Spent this quarter: 4$,061

Spent this election cycle: $37,431

Cash on hand: $5,514