Iowa Dem Senate candidate says he's too busy campaigning to attend all state House votes

Democratic Iowa State Rep.

Josh Turek defended his attendance record after being called out by his opponent, Republican Rep.

Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, during a Tuesday night debate for the state's open Senate seat.

Hinson remarked on Turek's absences while responding to a question posed to both candidates about Iowa's rising cancer rates.

"You have to show up to vote for things like pediatric cancer research, and I've invested in legislation to make sure that we're redirecting those resources to get to where it needs to go to help get to the bottom of this cancer crisis," Hinson said.

As Fox News Digital first uncovered , Turek missed 261 votes in Iowa's state legislature from Jan.

12, 2026, through May 3, representing nearly 58% of the total votes during that time.

The debate's moderator asked Turek directly why he missed the votes.

DEM SENATE HOPEFUL RIPPED AS 'ABSENTEE LEGISLATOR' AFTER MISSING NEARLY 60% OF VOTES "I have gone out there and I have met with Iowans all over the state, all 99 counties, hundreds of public forums," Turek responded.

FOX NEWS POLL: TUREK, HINSON IN CLOSE IOWA SENATE RACE "Meanwhile, Ashley Hinson, since she's decided to run for U.S.

Senate, has not done one in-person town forum.

Also, in my first three years in the legislature, [I had] more than a 90% attendance record," Turek continued.

"I want to ask again, though, why did you miss those votes?" the moderator repeated.

MEDIA NARRATIVE PREDICTING BLUE WAVE IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE NOT MESHING WITH LOCAL REPUBLICANS: 'FIRED UP' "I'm out campaigning.