Calls for Investigation into Hinson’s Undisclosed Ties to Her Husband’s Insurance Lobbying Group
Defend The Vote has filed a complaint with the U.S. House Office of Congressional Conduct calling for an investigation into Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-02) over failing to disclose her husband’s lobbying role for an insurance industry association and granting her husband and his association special access, in violation of House standards of conduct.
The complaint follows NOTUS/Washington Sun reporting that Hinson’s husband, Matt Arenholz, chairs the Government Affairs Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa.
The group’s CEO credited Arenholz, and his marriage to Hinson, for the organization’s special access to Iowa’s congressional members, including Hinson.
“Ashley Hinson sits on the House Ethics Committee and should know better than to break ethics rules,” Defend The Vote Executive Director Brian Lemek said. “Iowa families struggling with rising prices deserve to know whether their congresswoman is working for them or for the insurance industry that supports her household’s business interests. The Office of Congressional Conduct should investigate immediately.”
Hinson’s financial disclosure reports that Hinson and Arenholz have a major financial stake in the insurance industry, as Arenholz holds up to $5 million in High Street Insurance Partners, a private equity-backed insurance brokerage. That stock yielded the couple up to $1millon in dividends reported as income in 2025 alone.
Further, Arenholz’s organization, the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa, is the state affiliate of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. The national trade association has spent more than $5 million lobbying the federal government since Hinson was elected. The PAC associated with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America has contributed $67,500 to Ashley Hinson.
Hinson and Arenholz’s web of political and personal finances is further tied through the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, whose PAC has contributed $67,500 to Hinson, while also listing Arenholz’s High Street Insurance Partners as a Platinum Partner.
Hinson appears to have violated House rules, which prohibit Members from using their official position or congressional resources on behalf of a spouse’s professional activities, and require Members to avoid conflicts arising from a spouse’s financial interests.
Defend The Vote is calling on the Office of Congressional Conduct to immediately investigate Rep. Hinson and take appropriate action.
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