Whirlpool Corporation, Iowa County’s largest employer, announced that it is laying off nearly 400 workers — more than a quarter of its 1,500 employees — at its manufacturing plant in Amana, Iowa, which produces refrigerators under the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Amana brands. The reduction is effective March 9.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) condemned Whirlpool for the latest round of layoffs and responded in a statement: “Whirlpool has been aggressively expanding its manufacturing footprint in Mexico, recently completing a major refrigerator plant expansion in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, in 2024, investing $65 million into its Celaya, Guanajuato facility, and designating Mexico as the sole producer of its French Door refrigerator line, a product exported almost entirely back to American and Canadian consumers.”
U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), who is running — with President Trump’s endorsement — for the Senate seat of retiring Republican Senator Joni Ernst, responded to the announcement on social media: “I am frustrated by Whirlpool’s decision to cut hundreds of Iowa jobs. Iowa workers are best in class — skilled, reliable, and proud to build products right here in America.”
Hinson added: “I will be reaching out to Whirlpool leadership to better understand this decision, its impact on our community, and to confirm reports regarding potential expansion in Mexico.”
I’m frustrated by your votes to give corporations incentives to ship jobs overseas! https://t.co/Yb9ylZWFvC
— J.D. Scholten (@JDScholten) February 19, 2026
Hinson’s post received criticism largely directed at President Trump’s tariffs. As one replied, “Man, wonder why it’s so tough for a company reliant on a lot of steel & aluminum & copper imports to build things in Iowa. Maybe because of the policies you support?” Another replied, “I reached out to your office about tariffs impacting Iowa job cuts. No response.”
Democratic Iowa State Representative J.D. Scholten replied to Hinson: “I’m frustrated by your votes to give corporations incentives to ship jobs overseas!”
Note: Scholten, who announced in June that he would also run for Ernst’s seat, dropped out of the race and endorsed fellow Democratic State Representative Josh Turek.
Democratic Party political strategist Lis Smith wrote this week of Turek’s campaign: “For all the attention *certain* Senate races get on here, Iowa deserves to be part of the conversation. No state has been hit harder by Trump’s tariffs and Republican’s one-party rule.”
For all the attention *certain* Senate races get on here, Iowa deserves to be part of the conversation. No state has been hit harder by Trump’s tariffs and Republican’s one-party rule pic.twitter.com/YEOJx4Xo5a
— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) February 17, 2026
Note: The IAM has not yet announced an official endorsement in the Iowa Senate Democratic primary, although Turek has received an endorsement from Heat and Frost Insulators Local 39 and his Democratic opponent, State Senator Zach Wahls, has received an endorsement from Teamsters Local 90, CWA Local 7110, and Ironworkers locals.
Wahls said of the Whirlpool layoffs: “That’s not ‘restructuring.’ It’s corporate greed, and Iowa families are paying the price. Whirlpool should stop these layoffs and keep these jobs in Iowa.”
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