Former state Sen. Jim Carlin criticized U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson's entrance into the 2026 Republican U.S. Senate primary as "scripted," saying Iowa voters don't need a "handpicked candidate."

Carlin, who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, spoke at an event hosted by the conservative MAGA Nation group on the same day that incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said she would not seek reelection next year .

Hours after Ernst's announcement, Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, launched her own campaign for U.S. Senate , saying, "I'm running to be President Trump's top ally in the United States Senate."

Hinson swiftly rolled out a flurry of endorsements that included both Iowa politicians such as U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and Iowa House Majority Leader Bob

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