GOP Candidate Pressed By NBC News About Asking Supporters For Gas Money

NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas pressed Iowa GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R), about her request that supporters help out with gas money for her campaign bus.

Llamas asked about high gas prices under Donald Trump for a piece on Hinson and her opponent Josh Turek (D), who serves in the Iowa House.

“Gas has gone up I think about $1.50 since President Trump took office in his second term,” Llamas said. “More than $2.50 for diesel. How do you get Iowans to trust Republicans when the gas prices have been so high?” he asked Hinson.

“Well, and I know Iowans are getting squeezed. And I hear that as I travel through the state,” Hinson said. “And I think the real solution here is focusing on our biofuels right here in Iowa. So, when we talk about unleashing American energy, it’s all of the above, all of the below, refining capacity, and embracing Iowa’s clean energy option and biofuels.”

“I just saw a report that said you were asking your supporters for gas money for your bus,” Llamas said, before playing video of Hinson at a campaign rally:

HINSON: Help give us a little gas money for our bus, make sure we’re showing up at the polls, because there is more to do.

“I mean, is that how bad things are?” Llamas asked.

“No, I’m out there campaigning through the state on my bus, meeting with everyone where they are,” Hinson said. “And what I’m hearing from Iowans is that they want a leader, a commonsense mom who is going to focus on their priorities, because there are a lot of Iowans who are being priced out of the American dream. I understand that. I am focused on that.”

“Democrats also going after her early support for the Iran war,” Llamas said in his voiceover. “Today, she tell us she’s breaking with the president over his diesel deal with Russia.”

“I think you’re going to see the president soon, right? Llamas asked.

“He’s coming to Iowa,” Hinson answered.

“What are you going to tell him about Russia and Iran?”

“I think that’s a bad idea. I don’t think we should be making deals with Russia. I do want to see the war come to an end as soon as possible. I want it to be successful,” Hinson said.

The latest Marist poll showed Turek leading Hinson 48% to 45%.

Watch the clip above via NBC Nightly News.

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