Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst on Tuesday, defeating state Sen. Zach Wahls in a contest that pitted establishment backing against an insurgent campaign.
Turek, who has represented a conservative-leaning western Iowa district in the state House, won after benefiting from more than $5 million in outside spending by VoteVets, a PAC that Wahls noted had previously received money from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s campaign fund. Turek also earned the endorsement of a range of top Democrats, while Wahls pitched himself as an outsider who would challenge party elites.
The primary between the two men became contentious. Wahls alleged his opponent was the favorite of the Democratic establishment and blamed Schumer for weakening the party. Turek argued he was the more electable candidate because he had won in a conservative district, while Wahls represented a liberal area in eastern Iowa.
Turek will face Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, whom Trump endorsed to replace Ernst. Democrats believe they have a shot at flipping the seat in a state the GOP has dominated for the past decade, holding both Senate seats, three of four House districts, and the governor’s office.
The race is one of several competitive contests in Iowa that could help determine which party controls Congress after November. Voters also cast ballots in primaries for three House races where Democrats see opportunities. As MSI previously reported, the party has been eyeing Iowa as a potential battleground this cycle. Democrats are targeting the state as part of a broader strategy to win back the House and hold the Senate.
In southeastern Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, incumbent Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won her primary, beating rightwing challenger David Pautsch. University of Iowa law professor Christina Bohannan won the Democratic primary, setting up her third consecutive run against Miller-Meeks. Bohannan lost to Miller-Meeks in 2024 by about 800 votes.
In the 3rd Congressional District around Des Moines, incumbent Republican Rep. Zach Nunn won his primary. State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott won the Democratic nomination and will challenge Nunn in November.
With Hinson running for Senate, her seat in northeastern Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is open. Republicans nominated former state Rep. Joe Mitchell to replace her. Democrats picked state Rep. Lindsay James to carry their banner in the race.