Iowa Democrats set to choose between two 'fighters' in Senate primary

Iowa Democrats will decide their nominee for the U.S. Senate race on June 2, with State Rep. Josh Turek and State Sen. Zach Wahls competing for the party’s nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson. The seat has been held by Republicans for 18 years, and Democrats see this as a critical opportunity to retake it. Both candidates emphasize their ability to win in a tough election, with Turek highlighting his experience in a Trump-leaning district and Wahls framing himself as an outsider willing to challenge the political establishment. Turek, from Council Bluffs, won his Iowa House seat in 2022 by just six votes despite Trump carrying the district. He has framed his campaign as one of resilience, citing his background as a Paralympic gold medalist and his advocacy for disability rights and Medicaid expansion. Wahls, from Coralville, rose to prominence at age 19 for defending his two mothers’ right to marry during a speech in the Iowa House. He positions himself as a fighter against corporate influence and a voice for the middle class. Polling shows a competitive race. A March GBAO survey found Turek and Wahls trailing Hinson by 3 and 4 points, respectively, but Turek led Hinson by 1 point when voters were given positive messaging. An April Echelon Insights poll showed both candidates leading Hinson by 1-2 points in head-to-head matchups. Early voting is underway, and both campaigns are making final appeals to voters. Turek argues his experience in a politically divided district—where he won reelection in 2024 by nearly 6 percentage points—makes him the stronger general election candidate. He dismisses Wahls’ lack of direct Republican opposition experience, stating that Iowa voters need someone ‘battle tested.’ Wahls, meanwhile, frames his campaign as a fight against a ‘corrupt political system’ rigged in favor of billionaires and corporations. The primary will determine whether Democrats nominate a candidate with legislative experience in a competitive district or one with a grassroots reputation for challenging both parties’ establishments.