State Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, according to a statement of candidacy filed with the Federal Election Commission, will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer of Dubuque in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.
Hinson, 35, currently represents Iowa House District 67 serving her second term. She chairs the House Transportation Committee and serves on the House Appropriations, Judiciary, and State Government committees. She also serves on the House Transportation, Infrastructure, and Captial Appropriations Subcommittee.
The American Conservative Union gave Hinson a 90% rating in 2017 and in 2018 she earned a 79 percent score.
Before defeating her Democrat opponent Mark Siedl in 2016 by 25 points, Hinson worked for 10 years at KCRG-TV 9 in Cedar Rapids as a reporter, producer, and morning news anchor.
She holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Southern California.
Hinson and her husband Matthew have two sons, and they attend Antioch Christian Church in Marion where, as a classically trained violinist, Hinson regularly plays with the worship team. She has volunteered with a number of organizations including NCSML, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, March of Dimes, Young Parents Network, National Council on Youth Leadership, The History Center, and Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa.