Thune campaigns with Hinson as GOP defends Senate majority

Senate Majority Leader John Thune campaigned with Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson on Oct. 23, urging voters to support her as Republicans try to retain control of the chamber in the Nov. 3 elections. Thune said Hinson’s victory was essential to keeping the Senate majority, which Republicans currently hold with 53 seats. Hinson is running against Democratic state legislator Josh Turek for the seat held by retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. During a day of campaign events in northwest Iowa, Thune and Hinson met with business owners, toured an Iowa Air National Guard refueling wing and spoke with voters. Thune also called on supporters to help turn out the vote. The Iowa race is part of a broader effort by Thune to campaign for Republican Senate candidates in states including Nebraska, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota. He was also expected to travel to Ohio to campaign with Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who faces a challenge from former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. Thune’s campaigning comes amid criticism from some Republicans over the Senate’s failure to pass voter legislation and President Donald Trump’s calls to eliminate...