The Republican candidate seeking to hold onto Sen. Joni Ernst’s seat representing Iowa scrambled to shoot down accusations that her husband is a “shadow lobbyist” for the insurance industry.
According to The Washington Sun, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson pushed back at the Iowa Senate debate Wednesday on the suggestion by Democrat Josh Turek, her opponent, that her husband, Matt Arenholz, is "operating as a shadow lobbyist."
“This is the corruption that we have to address,” said Turek, who cast Hinson as someone who has used her time in Congress to "benefit herself," The Sun reported.
“My husband’s not a lobbyist. He’s an insurance agent,” the embattled Hinson insisted. “He works in our basement. He’s still working at home tonight while he’s home with our kids.”
Hinson and Arenholz are deeply connected to the insurance industry, according to past reporting by the Sun. An August report found that Arenholz owns an interest worth between $1 million and $5 million in a private equity-backed insurance brokerage, according to Hinson’s 2025 financial disclosure, and held a "government affairs post" at a major insurance industry lobbying group during Hinson’s time in the House, a role not previously reported.
Documents reviewed by the Sun show Arenholz chaired the government affairs committee for the Iowa branch of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and helped arrange meetings between the group and Hinson along with other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. The group’s magazine credited Arenholz directly.
At the time, a Hinson campaign spokesperson said the couple “maintain the highest ethical standards” and that the meeting was arranged like any other advocacy group meeting.