Iowa Democrats Seek to Flip U.S. Senate Seat

In a recent report, state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Walls are positioning themselves to contest in a significant race against the Republican Senate contender. Turek, who has also made a name for himself as a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, has faced scrutiny for his voting record. Records indicate he received over $20,000 in per diem wages but missed a large portion of votes—specifically, 261 out of 440 votes—between January and May 2026.

Some of these absences coincided with campaign activities, raising questions about his ability to juggle responsibilities as both a lawmaker and a candidate for the seat left open by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). Turek embodies the classic underdog narrative, having overcome paralysis to represent the U.S. in Paralympic basketball, clinching gold medals in both 2016 and 2020.

Turek has expressed a commitment to defending the government programs that have impacted his life positively. In a campaign video, he reflected on how his father’s military service and supportive educational programs were crucial in his journey.

However, despite a compelling message that has attracted national interest, fundraising has been challenging for him. From July 2025 to late May, he raised around $3.4 million, which, while significant, is on the lower end for this type of campaign. In contrast, former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown from Ohio has amassed approximately $26 million during his fundraising efforts since last November.

It’s noted that Turek’s quest for campaign funds led him to miss key votes, taking full advantage of the Iowa legislative session’s per diem structure. Notably, he missed a dozen important votes while fundraising in Southern California. Meanwhile, his opponent, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), has also been criticized for prioritizing fundraising over legislative duties. Turek’s campaign emphasized that he is not alone in this pattern, pointing to Hinson’s own missed votes amid her fundraising efforts.

Hinson’s campaign asserts that she has a much higher voter turnout record since her election in 2020, and they criticize Turek for skipping relevant votes on critical issues. As the race heats up, Turek recently won a party primary against Walls and is gearing up to face Hinson in the general election slated for November 3.