As Iowa Democrats prepare to choose a nominee in a closely watched Senate primary, the contest between state Sen. Zach Wahls and state Rep. Josh Turek has evolved into a broader argument about what kind of Democrat can still win statewide in Iowa.
Josh Turek, a Democrat seeking his party’s nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, talks with voters following a May 17, 2026, campaign event in Cedar Rapids.
Josh Turek speaks to supporters from the porch of a Cedar Rapids home during a May 17, 2026, campaign event in Cedar Rapids. He is seeking the Democratic nomination in the June 2 primary to run for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat in the November general election.
Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs talks with The Gazette about why he is running for the U.S. Senate. Iowa’s primary election is June 2, and early voting is underway.
Democratic state Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville, who is seeking his party’s nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, speaks with reporters after casting his primary election ballot in Iowa City on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Zach Wahls and Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren talk to reporters after a roundtable on healthcare hosted by Wahls’ campaign at Teamsters Local 90’s office in Des Moines on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls talks with The Gazette about why he is running for the U.S. Senate. Iowa’s primary election is June 2, and early voting is underway.
Josh Turek, a Democrat seeking his party’s nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, talks with voters following a May 17, 2026, campaign event in Cedar Rapids.
Josh Turek speaks to supporters from the porch of a Cedar Rapids home during a May 17, 2026, campaign event in Cedar Rapids. He is seeking the Democratic nomination in the June 2 primary to run for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat in the November general election.
Democratic state Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville, who is seeking his party’s nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, speaks with reporters after casting his primary election ballot in Iowa City on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Zach Wahls and Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren talk to reporters after a roundtable on healthcare hosted by Wahls’ campaign at Teamsters Local 90’s office in Des Moines on Monday, May 11, 2026.
