Ashley Hinson, Republican incumbent and Sarah Corkery, Democratic challenger are on the ballot this Nov. 5 for Iowa’s second Congressional District, which encapsulates Black Hawk County. For UNI students registered in Black Hawk County, Hinson and Corkery will appear on their ballot for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hinson is the incumbent for the second Congressional District seat, and has represented Black Hawk County for two years. Originally from Marion, Iowa, Hinson has a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California. Hinson formerly served as Iowa’s first Congressional District representative. Hinson’s key positions include a concern for national security and defense, improving healthcare and education and workforce development. Hinson has also identified herself as pro-life. On her website, Hinson writes “I am pro-life and will be a consistent, strong voice for the voiceless in Congress. We must protect the unborn and stand up for the sanctity of life. Taxpayer dollars should not fund abortions, nor should they go to abortion providers. This funding should be reserved for other family planning options and important women’s health care services. I will fight to redirect these dollars to the important work of community health centers, including those providing care to women in underserved areas.” She elaborated on her pro-life position on the Iowa Public Broadcasting debate earlier this October.
Hinson has also expressed her concern in securing the U.S border and strengthening national security. In February, she released a statement regarding President Biden’s border policies, stating “President Biden has long been gaslighting the American people on the crisis at our Southern Border. On day one of his administration, he began systematically and unilaterally unraveling policies that secured our border and deterred illegal immigration through executive action. As the American people have experienced record levels of illegal immigration into our country and drugs pouring into our communities, he has perpetually claimed the border is secure and refused to acknowledge the crisis of his making.”
Corkery, Hinson’s opponent, hasn’t served in public office before. She introduces herself on her campaign website as “a mom, a cancer survivor, and a community leader running for Congress to represent all of us.” The main issues Corkery wants to tackle, should she be elected, include protecting the Affordable Care Act, supporting the Women’s Health Protection Act and supporting legislation to require background checks on all firearms purchases.
She is dedicated to supporting Iowan farmers in Congress. “We need continued investment in our commodity growers while also meeting the needs of the ever-expanding coalition of young and diversified farming operations that produce fresh produce, specialty crops, and dairy products for our communities.” Corkery said.
“Our agriculture system needs to work for farmers of all sizes. Real investments in our agriculture industry won’t just boost the local economy, and create jobs, but they will help protect our food supply and, as we saw during the pandemic, food and supply chain security is national security.” Corkery has also been very forward about her support for abortion access. On her website, Corkery writes “I trust Iowans to make the best medical decisions for themselves. Unfortunately, people like Ashley Hinson and Kim Reynolds don’t. The state just passed one of the most dangerous abortion bans in the country and Ashley Hinson supports a nationwide abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or health of the mother.”
Both Corkery and Hinson participated in the Iowa Public Broadcasting second Congressional District debate, which showcased their stances on immigration, securing the border, social security, and access to birth control, IVF and abortion. The debate is available to watch on demand on the Iowa PBS YouTube. For more information about the Iowa second Congressional District candidates, you can visit their respective campaign websites at hinson.house.gov and corkeryforcongress.com.
