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Ashley Hinson Says Iran War “Out of Sight, Out of Mind,” and Gets Torched by Iowa Farmers for Backing Pro-China Ag Legislation

Ashley Hinson Says Iran War “Out of Sight, Out of Mind,” and Gets Torched by Iowa Farmers for Backing Pro-China Ag Legislation

In This Week’s Edition of the Ashley Accountability Alert, Iowa Farmers Speak Out Against Hinson’s ‘Save Our Bacon Act,’ While She Downplays Iowans’ Concerns About the Iran War as Prices Continue Spiking

DES MOINES – This week, Iowa farmers called out Ashley Hinson for continuing to push her pro-China Save Our Bacon Act, which prioritizes big, multinational ag corporations ahead of small family farms.

Meanwhile, she jetted off to Dallas to pal around with her fellow multi-millionaires and party bosses at the Republican Party’s midterm convention as she downplayed Iowans’ concerns about the Hinson-backed Iran War that is sending gas and diesel prices to record highs.

But that isn’t all that dragged down Hinson’s Senate campaign this week…

  • First, Ashley Hinson downplayed Iowans’ concerns over the costly war in Iran and reaffirmed her support of the conflict that has uniquely hurt Iowans in two recent interviews.
  • In another, she doubled down for her support of the conflict and tried to downplay the impact on Iowa, saying “it’s certainly not the first thing [Iowans] bring up.”
  • No matter what she says, Hinson knows the war – and her support for it – is a vulnerability. Just last month at the Iowa State Fair, Hinson “went silent” and ignored repeated reporter questions about the Middle East conflict. She has publicly defended the war numerous times, despite admitting in private that it’s a “political liability.” Reminder: Ashley Hinson has voted six times to continue the Iran War. 
  • Then, Hinson once again put her billionaire donors ahead of Iowans by heading to Dallas to rub shoulders with her fellow multi-millionaires and party bosses at the Republican Party’s midterm convention.
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See What Iowans Were Seeing and Reading This Week: 

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa farmers argue Hinson’s Save Our Bacon Act would hurt small producers

  • Some Iowa producers argued Wednesday that the federally proposed Save Our Bacon Act will harm farmers by taking away diversified markets and by sending a message to consumers that they are not entitled to a choice in what they eat.
  • “Small family farms aren’t going to win a race against multinational, vertically integrated corporations on producing the cheapest pound of protein,” Thompson said. 
  • John Gilbert, a Hardin County farmer who said dairy and hogs have been the “linchpins” in his operation, said the Save Our Bacon Act would “punish” producers […] 
  • Gilbert said the most “egregious and insulting” element of the Save Our Bacon Act is the message it sends to consumers.
  • Lehman said the topic is an issue in this election because “farmers are hurting” and the Save Our Bacon Act would “make problems for farmers even worse.”

WHO: Rep. Hinson’s Save Our Bacon Act divides Iowa farmers

  • In a press conference held at an Elkhart farm on Wednesday, Iowa farmers and rural advocates spoke against the legislation. They said it will only benefit the four largest meatpacking companies and not Iowa’s family farms. They also claim the legislation could lead to an increase in China’s share of the American pork market.
  • Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, said Iowa already lost nearly 90% of its independent hog farmers over the last 45 years to industry consolidation, and he said the Save Our Bacon Act would make that statistic worse.
  • The former president of the Iowa Farmers Union and Clear Lake hog farmer, Chris Peterson, echoed this sentiment. He said, “The industry will not rest until they have got 100% of the market share. This is the game people: get rid of us.”

KTIV: Iowa pork farmers divided over ‘Save Our Bacon Act’ ahead of November election

  • Hog farmer Tony Thompson said the Save Our Bacon Act could take away a competitive advantage for some small farmers.
  • Opponents of the bill also say it will only help large pork producers like Smithfield. Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the world, owned by Chinese pork group WH.
  • “Politicians, including Ashley Hinson, should be ashamed and shamed for letting the vast majority of farmers being turned into serfs, or chore boys, for feeding hogs for communist China,” Petersen said.

WQAD: Surging diesel prices over Labor Day weekend hit Iowa trucking, agricultural industries

  • Diesel prices are climbing as drivers hit the road for Labor Day weekend, with prices at some Iowa retailers topping $6 per gallon. 
  • The impact goes beyond the trucking industry. Christopher Pudenz, an economics manager with the Iowa Farm Bureau, said higher diesel prices affect farmers and the cost of operating equipment.
  • “They also impact the cost of transporting grain, transporting livestock, and that impacts the whole agricultural economy as a whole,” he said. 

AM 600 WMT Newsradio: Diesel prices reach new record high in Iowa

  • Diesel prices have climbed to a new record high in Iowa. Triple A reports the statewide average for diesel is $5.55 per gallon, up from $5.38 a week ago and $3.50 a year ago.
  • The previous record was set in August, when the statewide average reached $5.45 per gallon, breaking the previous record of $5.44, which was set in June 2022. 

Fox News:

  • Peter Doocy, Fox News Host: “When you’re out on the campaign trail all over Iowa do people ever ask you when the war in Iran will end?”
  • Ashley Hinson: “Well, it’s not certainly the first thing they bring up. […] But certainly people are paying attention to what’s happening around the world.”

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