Iowa state Representative Josh Turek has secured the Democratic nomination for the open U.S. Senate seat in Iowa, as projected by NBC News. Turek, 47, defeated state Senator Zach Wahls in a competitive primary and will face Republican Representative Ashley Hinson in the general election. Hinson won her primary with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
In his victory speech, Turek acknowledged Wahls' contributions, stating, "Zach has been an exceptional representative for his district and a true public servant for the people of Iowa." He called for unity among supporters, saying, "I ask each and every one of you to join our campaign to push for change."
Turek criticized Hinson, stating, "She does not represent Iowa and does not represent our values."
The Senate seat became available after Republican Senator Joni Ernst chose not to seek re-election. The race is considered significant in the context of the Senate's partisan balance, with the Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund planning to invest $29 million in the campaign.
Hinson, 42, has served her congressional district since 2021 and expressed gratitude for Trump's endorsement during her victory speech, emphasizing her commitment to his agenda. She characterized Turek as a "liberal" and claimed he was misrepresenting himself as a moderate.
VoteVets, an outside spending group, played a crucial role in Turek's primary campaign, investing $10 million in advertising due to his background as a Paralympic athlete. Turek's campaign and Wahls' campaign each spent approximately $1.5 million.
Wahls, who gained national attention in 2011 for his advocacy of marriage equality, received an endorsement from Senator Elizabeth Warren and criticized the influence of outside money in the race. He framed Turek as aligned with the Democratic establishment.
Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann framed the general election as a contest over Iowa values, suggesting that Turek would be beholden to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Despite Wahls' concerns about outside spending, he also received some support from a group called Iowa Action, which ran ads against Turek.
Following Turek's victory, VoteVets expressed their support, highlighting his resilience and commitment to veterans and working families. Paul Eaton, a senior adviser to the group, stated, "If elected, he will fight for working families, veterans, and military family members like his own."
