Josh Turek, a Paralympic gold medalist and state legislator, secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Iowa. The Associated Press reported his victory over Zach Wahls, a fellow state legislator, in a contest reflecting the party’s anti-establishment sentiment.
Mr. Turek, who calls himself a ‘prairie populist,’ is 47 years old and emphasized his ability to attract independents and Republicans. “I outperformed the top of the ticket by Trump by 50 percent, more than any other Democrat in the state,” he stated during a recent debate. He presented himself as “battle-tested,” crucial in a state President Trump has won three times.
His opponent, Zach Wahls, gained national attention in 2011 with a speech at the Iowa Capitol defending his lesbian mothers. Despite his rising profile, Wahls could not prevent Turek’s primary victory.
Turek will compete against Representative Ashley Hinson, who serves the northwest part of Iowa. The Senate Leadership Fund, a major backer of Senate Republicans, plans to invest at least $29 million to support Hinson. This early monetary commitment suggests the Senate race might be more competitive this year.
Democrats in Iowa remain confident about their prospects, despite Republicans holding sway over the congressional delegation, the governor’s mansion, and both legislative chambers in the state.
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