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

Iowa Democrats will choose between State Rep. Josh Turek and State Sen. Zach Wahls in their June 2 primary for the open U.S. Senate seat, a race that could determine whether the party retakes control of the seat for the first time in 18 years. Both candidates are framing themselves as the best candidate to defeat Republican frontrunner Rep. Ashley Hinson, with Turek highlighting his experience winning in a Trump-leaning district and Wahls emphasizing his willingness to challenge political establishment corruption. Turek, a Council Bluffs representative, has positioned himself as a 'battle-tested' candidate after narrowly winning his Iowa House seat in 2022 by just six votes and securing reelection in 2024 by nearly six percentage points, despite Trump carrying the district. He cites his background as a Paralympic gold medalist and his work with individuals with disabilities as proof of his resilience and ability to appeal beyond partisan lines. Wahls, a Coralville state senator, has built his campaign around taking on a political system he claims favors billionaires and corporations over the middle class. His rise to prominence began at age 19 when he delivered a speech on the Iowa House floor defending his two mothers' right to marry, a moment that underscored his willingness to challenge both parties. Polls suggest the race is competitive, with GBAO’s March survey showing Turek and Wahls trailing Hinson by 4 and 3 points, respectively, though Turek led Hinson by 1 point in a side-by-side comparison when voters were given balanced messaging. Another poll by Echelon Insights from April showed Turek and Wahls leading Hinson by 1 and 2 points, respectively, in head-to-head matchups. Early voting has already begun, and both candidates are making final pushes to secure Democratic support ahead of the primary. Turek, who initially ran for office to address Medicaid privatization’s impact on individuals with disabilities, dismisses Wahls’ lack of direct Republican opposition experience, arguing that voters need a candidate who has faced tough races. Wahls, meanwhile, contrasts his record of challenging political elites with Turek’s more moderate approach, framing himself as the candidate best suited to mobilize progressive voters in the general election.