Overview

• President Trump endorsed Rep. Ashley Hinson on Friday evening, following public backing earlier in the day from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and NRSC chair Sen. Tim Scott.
• Hinson entered the race within hours of Sen. Joni Ernst’s retirement announcement and reported roughly $2.8 million in campaign funds.
• The NRSC circulated a memo touting Hinson’s strength this week, and she added endorsements from Sens. Jim Banks, Katie Britt and Markwayne Mullin, plus House leaders Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer and Rep. Elise Stefanik.
• Hinson faces GOP primary opponents former state Sen. Jim Carlin and Joshua Smith, with reporting highlighting past anti-Israel and antisemitic posts from Smith’s X account.
• Democrats have multiple declared candidates as national handicappers move the contest to Likely Republican, keeping a competitive primary landscape in both parties.