(Ashley Hinson (right) speaks with supporter in Sioux Center -- Community First Broadcasting Staff Photo)Sioux Center, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Hinson stepped away from the Iowa State Fair Thursday for a brief campaign stop in Sioux Center, where supporters highlighted her work on agriculture, rural issues, and veterans before she took questions on topics including the proposed Sioux County data center and rural health care.
The event was held outside the Centre Mall and featured remarks from Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo and Craig Moss, a fifth-generation farmer from the Hull area.
Hinson, who currently serves in the U.S. House, said she had spent much of the past several days at the State Fair visiting with cattle and pork producers before traveling to northwest Iowa.
Van Otterloo Points to Rock Valley Flood Recovery
Van Otterloo referenced Rock Valley’s experience during the 2024 flooding as an example of northwest Iowa’s resilience.
Van Otterloo said he believes those values should be reflected by Iowa’s representatives in Washington, adding that Hinson understands rural communities and has worked on agriculture, rural hospitals, and veterans’ issues.
Moss Highlights Tax Policy and Family Farming
Moss approached the campaign from the perspective of keeping his family farm viable for future generations. His family raises cattle, finishes hogs, and grows corn and soybeans outside Hull, and his two sons represent the sixth generation on the farm.
He cited tax policy as a key reason for supporting Hinson.
Agriculture Themes Throughout the Stop
Agriculture remained a major focus. Hinson pointed to her support for year-round E15, the House-passed Farm Bill, and provisions she sponsored related to precision agriculture and input costs.
Hinson and several speakers also contrasted her record with that of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek, criticizing his voting attendance and positions on agriculture and taxes. Those comments were made as part of the campaign event and were not independently addressed by Turek. Hinson and Turek face off in November to replace retiring Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Red Oak).
Hinson Says Data Center Decisions Should Remain Local
During a brief Q&A with local media, Hinson was asked about the ongoing data-center discussion in Sioux County and whether the federal government should play a role in protecting farmland.
Hinson says she believes the decisions belong primarily with local communities.
She said concerns she has heard include water consumption and energy use. She pointed to closed-loop cooling systems as one way to reduce water usage and said residents should not be forced to shoulder higher electricity costs because of a data-center development.
Rural Health Care Also Discussed
Hinson was asked about rural health care, with the question noting northwest Iowa’s relatively strong access compared with other parts of the state. She said affordability and access remain statewide concerns.
Hinson pointed to federal rural-health funding and said she wants greater transparency from insurance and pharmaceutical companies. She highlighted legislation requiring insurers to disclose information such as claim denials, overturned appeals, and prior-authorization procedures.
Hinson’s Sioux Center appearance was a short detour from her State Fair schedule. She is expected to return to the fair Friday.
Before leaving the Centre Mall, the campaign stop ended on a sweeter note. Hinson and the group went inside for a treat from Casey’s Bakery.
