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Campaign Almanac: DNC launches new digital ads in Iowa targeting Miller-Meeks over Epstein files
Also, more Republicans rally behind Hinson’s U.S. Senate campaign
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The Democratic National Committee is launching a fresh round of digital ads in Iowa targeting Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, part of a broader campaign to pressure House Republicans who voted against forcing the Department of Justice to release files related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, by blocking Democratic procedural maneuvers in the House.
The new spots follow Monday’s release by the House Oversight Committee of a birthday album that included letters, signatures and names of high-profile figures, among them former President Bill Clinton and attorney Alan Dershowitz. It also includes a sexually suggestive letter to Epstein purportedly signed by President Donald Trump.
Trump has denied writing the letter to Epstein, dismissing the document as a hoax and claiming his signature was forged.
The disgraced financier died by suicide in 2019 while in jail awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
The DNC says its ads will run across several social media platforms in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, highlighting what Democrats call Republican “cowardice” in shielding Trump from scrutiny.
“If House Republicans can’t even stand up for the victims and survivors of a notorious sexual predator, then how can their voters trust them?” DNC chair Ken Martin said in a statement.
The digital campaign is not the first time Democrats have sought to tie Iowa Republicans to the controversy over Epstein. In July, the DNC rolled out ads against U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson and Zach Nunn, criticizing their opposition to Democratic-led efforts to force disclosure of the files. At the time, Democrats argued GOP lawmakers had broken with their own campaign trail promises to support transparency.
The latest offensive underscores how national Democrats view the Epstein case as both a moral and political issue, particularly in battleground districts like Miller-Meeks’ Eastern Iowa seat.
Republicans, for their part, have argued Democrats are using Epstein’s crimes for political gain, and have accused Democrats of being hypocritical, arguing that they could have called for the release of the files at any time while former President Joe Biden was in office.
“We deserve transparency and honesty from our government,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement to The Gazette. “For four years, Joe Biden and Democrats ignored the opportunity to deliver truth. I stand with President Trump in his efforts to ensure transparency into Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes while protecting the victims who endured so much abuse.”
Emily Tuttle, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, echoed Miller-Meeks.
“Democrats could’ve spent their four years under Joe Biden fighting for victims, but instead tanked the economy, endangered communities with pro-crime policies, and opened our borders to illegal criminals all while covering up Biden’s decline," Tuttle said in a statement to The Gazette. "Republicans will not be lectured on transparency or accountability by the Democrat Party.”
The House fight over releasing the Epstein files has become an increasingly sharp point of partisan division. While some Republicans initially voiced support for disclosure, Democrats say the GOP has since retreated under pressure from Trump.
With control of the House on the line in 2026, the DNC’s renewed push signals it intends to keep the issue in the spotlight as part of its broader argument that Republicans are unwilling to stand up to the former president, even on matters involving transparency.
More Republicans rally behind Hinson’s U.S. Senate campaign
More Iowa Republicans are lining up behind U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson as she launches her campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad endorsed Hinson, praising her as “the proven conservative leader we need at this critical moment for our nation,” according to a social media post by Hinson’s campaign.
“I have worked alongside Ashley and President Trump to enact policies that strengthen Iowa, unleash our economy, and protect our national security,” Branstad, who served as U.S. ambassador to China during Trump’s first term, said in a statement. “ … In the United States Senate, Ashley will be a fearless ally of President Trump and a relentless fighter for the ‘America First’ agenda.”
Joining Branstad in lending her support is fellow Republican Iowa U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
“From fighting China’s growing influence to defending America's jobs and families, Ashley has proven herself to be a warrior in Washington — and is ready to take the fight to the Senate,” Miller-Meeks said, according to a social media post by Hinson’s campaign.
Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd District in the U.S. House, is vying to succeed retiring Iowa GOP U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in the 2026 election. Ernst announced last week she will not seek a third term in office.
Trump offered his “complete and total endorsement” of Hinson’s Senate bid via a Truth Social post Friday, praising her record in Iowa.
Trump’s backing bolsters Hinson as the clear front-runner in the Republican primary, reinforcing her ties to the Trump-aligned MAGA base. The president’s early approval and Hinson’s growing list of endorsements could discourage additional challengers and help rally GOP unity behind Hinson.
Hinson is one of two Republicans in the 2026 Senate race. The other is Jim Carlin, of Sioux City, a staunch pro-Trump conservative who criticized U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley for not pushing to investigate unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Carlin blasted Hinson as a “phony” after she received Trump’s endorsement, arguing she lacks credibility with Iowa conservatives.
“Ashley Hinson never supported Trump and didn’t say one word on his behalf until after the caucuses. She is an actress reading D.C.’s script — she’s not a conservative, not America First and certainly not MAGA,” Carlin said in a statement.
The Sioux City attorney and former state senator criticized Hinson’s record, citing her vote to certify the 2020 election, her support of former Rep. Liz Cheney as House Republican Conference chair, and backing for codifying same-sex marriage.
Hinson, however, supported Cheney's ouster from the position in 2021, after Cheney called out Trump and fellow Republicans for spreading false claims about the 2020 election. Hinson and other top House Republicans advocated for New York Rep. Elise Stefanik to replace Cheney in House GOP leadership.
State Rep. Mark Cisneros, R-Muscatine, on Wednesday endorsed Carlin, praising his “principled leadership” and “unwavering commitment to conservative, constitutional values.” Carlin has also secured endorsements from Republican state Sens. Kevin Alons, Doug Campbell, Sandy Salmon and state Rep. Samantha Fett.
The backing comes as Carlin positions himself as a grassroots conservative alternative to Hinson’s D.C.-backed bid.
Joshua Smith, a former Libertarian, announced early this year he planned to run as a Republican to challenge Ernst in the GOP primary. Smith released a campaign ad, but has not yet filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to register a campaign for the seat. He created a skeleton campaign website with a brief bio and a “donate now” button that states: “Full website coming soon.”
Grassley signals support for Hinson but stops short of endorsement
Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on Wednesday praised Iowa GOP U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson as “fully qualified” to succeed retiring Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst but stopped short of a formal endorsement, saying his focus is on Republicans winning across the ballot in 2026.
Asked directly if he would endorse Hinson’s Senate campaign, Grassley said he has worked with her during her years in the U.S. House and considers her well-prepared to seek the office.
“Even though I’m disappointed Joni’s retiring, I think Ashley (is) fully qualified to succeed her, and I guess I’ll leave it at that at this point,” Grassley told reporters during a conference call.
The state’s senior senator added that the party faces competitive races at the top of the ticket for both the Senate seat and governor and in two of Iowa’s congressional districts, and stressed unity.
“The bottom line … is that we’re going to win in 2026,” Grassley said.
Lindsay James lands wave of Democratic endorsements in District 2
State Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque announced Wednesday she has secured endorsements from 30 Democratic leaders across Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District as she campaigns for the newly open U.S. House seat.
Several Democratic candidates are in the field, including Cedar Rapids nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Ball, veteran and former community college nursing dean Kathy Dolter of Cedar Rapids, and former state park manager Don Primus of Steamboat Rock.
James’ backers include former U.S. Reps. Dave Loebsack and Abby Finkenauer, along with 27 current and former elected officials and activists.
“I am proud to have earned the trust and support of this broad base of Democratic leaders representing every part of our district,” James said in a statement. “With their support … we’re building the momentum and grassroots support needed to win this seat and build a stronger, fairer Iowa.”
The endorsements come as the race turned into an open-seat election last week when Republican incumbent Ashley Hinson announced her intention to run for U.S. Senate.
Republicans have a voter registration advantage of around 23,000 voters over Democrats in the district, which includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque, Decorah, Grinnell and Mason City. President Donald Trump won the district by 10 percentage points in 2024, increasing his margin from 2020.
National Democrats, however, have already targeted the district as competitive and see it as a top pickup opportunity in 2026.
Loebsack, who represented the district for 14 years, praised James as a leader who “listens to people in communities large and small and works to improve their daily lives.” Finkenauer, who served one term in Congress before being defeated by Hinson in 2020, described James as a fighter who “never backs down” and is focused on working families.
Other notable backers include former state Sen. Liz Mathis of Hiawatha and a slate of local leaders from across Eastern Iowa.
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