Paralympian Josh Turek Wins Iowa Democratic Senate Primary

State Rep. Josh Turek won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Iowa on Tuesday, defeating state Sen. Zach Wahls. Turek, a former wheelchair basketball Paralympian, will face the Republican nominee in the November general election for the seat currently held by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst.

Turek positioned his campaign around personal experience and a willingness to work across party lines. He said he is running against the Republican nominee and President Trump, not Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Wahls gained attention in 2011 for opposing a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. His Senate bid focused on LGBTQ issues and economic policy.

Turek has polled competitively against the Republican nominee in early general-election surveys. Democrats have not won a statewide election in Iowa since 2012. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand identified North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, and Alaska as top targets. Gillibrand listed Iowa among longer-shot prospects along with Texas, Florida, and Mississippi.

“I’m uniquely the American Dream. In no other country on Earth could someone who’s gone through the economic struggle and the health care situation I grew up in be able to accomplish what I’ve been able to accomplish.”