Overview

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune and NRSC chair Tim Scott endorsed Rep. Ashley Hinson on Friday, casting her as a staunch Trump ally and the GOP’s preferred nominee.
• Hinson has already secured backing from Sens. Jim Banks, Katie Britt and Markwayne Mullin, along with House leaders Steve Scalise and Tom Emmer and Reps. Zach Nunn and Elise Stefanik.
• Sen. Joni Ernst confirmed she will retire in 2026 after two terms, and neither Ernst nor President Donald Trump has endorsed in the race.
• The Cook Political Report rates the open seat as likely Republican, and an NRSC memo this week touted Hinson as a formidable general‑election candidate.
• Hinson faces primary rivals Jim Carlin and Joshua Smith, with Smith drawing attention for anti‑Israel and anti‑Jewish posts reported from his X account.