Josh Turek, a Paralympic gold medalist and state lawmaker, has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Iowa, according to The Associated Press. He defeated fellow legislator Zach Wahls in a closely watched primary that highlighted divisions between establishment and progressive wings of the party.
Wahls, who gained national attention in 2011 as a teenager after delivering a viral speech defending his lesbian parents at the Iowa Capitol, lost the nomination to Turek, 47, who campaigned as a “prairie populist.”
Turek presented himself as a “battle-tested” candidate capable of appealing to independents and Republican voters in a state where President Donald Trump has won multiple times.
“I outperformed the top of the ticket by Trump by 50 percent, more than any other Democrat in the state,” Turek said at a recent debate. “I know what it takes to win.”
He will now face Republican Representative Ashley Hinson in the general election. The Senate Leadership Fund, a major GOP-aligned super PAC, has already pledged at least $29 million in support of her campaign, signalling a competitive race ahead.
Democrats see Iowa as increasingly competitive despite Republicans currently controlling the state’s congressional delegation, governorship, and legislature.
Turek’s candidacy was widely backed within the party, including an endorsement from former Senator Tom Harkin, the last Democrat to hold the seat. He also benefited from roughly $10 million in advertising support from VoteVets.
Although he did not serve in the military, Turek was born with spina bifida due to his father’s exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He has spoken openly about undergoing 21 surgeries by the age of 12 and campaigned across the state in a wheelchair.
Wahls, 34, framed his campaign around generational change and criticism of national Democratic leadership. He pledged not to support Senator Chuck Schumer as caucus leader and called for changes in the Democratic National Committee leadership.
“We need new leadership top to bottom,” Wahls said. “It’s just time to burn it all down and start over.”
He also accused Turek of being aligned with party leadership, while Turek rejected claims that he is part of the Democratic establishment.
“I’m not a D.C. insider,” he said at a debate. “I don’t know these folks.”
Two other candidates in the race, J.D. Scholten and Nathan Sage, later dropped out and endorsed Turek.
The seat opened up after Republican Senator Joni Ernst decided not to seek re-election, marking a rare opportunity for Democrats in the state.
Economic challenges tied to national policies, including tariffs and global tensions, have also shaped the political climate in Iowa, affecting costs for farmers and fuel prices.
Democrats have recently seen some gains in state-level special elections, fueling optimism ahead of the broader 2026 and 2028 cycles.
