Meet the Democratic Candidates for Iowa's U.S. Senate Race: Turek vs. Wahls
Iowa residents will have the opportunity to select the Democratic nominee for the state's U.S. Senate race in the upcoming June 2 primary election. The two Democratic candidates vying for the nomination are Iowa State Rep. Josh Turek from Council Bluffs and Iowa State Sen. Zach Wahls from Coralville. The incumbent, Sen. Joni Ernst, announced last year that she would not seek reelection, creating an open seat in the Senate. If a Democrat wins the seat in November, it would mark the first time since 2015 that Iowa's Senate seat has been held by a Democrat.
Zach Wahls gained national attention in 2011 for his advocacy of same-sex marriage and was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2019. He has outlined his priorities, including addressing wages, government corruption, healthcare, and Social Security. Wahls has emphasized the need for new Democratic Party leadership and has criticized his opponent for not addressing the issue. On the other hand, Josh Turek, a Paralympic athlete with a strong bipartisan appeal, has highlighted his experience representing his community in Council Bluffs. Turek's focus, if elected, would be on supporting the middle class, public education, and the environment.
Recent polling data shows a significant surge in support for Turek, giving him a 20-point lead over Wahls in the primary race. On the Republican side, former State Sen. Jim Carlin and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-02) are competing for the nomination. Libertarian candidate Thomas Laehn, the Greene County Attorney, is also running for the Senate seat. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Iowa voters will play a crucial role in determining the future representation of their state in the U.S. Senate.