Iowa Senate race: Turek opposes male athletes in women's sports but wants leagues to decide

Iowa's U.S. Senate race is heating up over one of the most contentious issues in American politics: transgender athletes competing in girls' and women's sports. Democratic nominee Josh Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, says he doesn't believe biological males should compete against females, but he stops short of supporting federal legislation to ban it. His Republican opponent, Rep. Ashley Hinson, has voted for exactly that.

The debate has become a defining issue in the 2026 midterms, with Democratic candidates across the country struggling to find a consistent message while Republican challengers uniformly push for restrictions. For Iowa voters, the contrast between Turek and Hinson could not be starker.

What Josh Turek has said about transgender athletes

Turek, who won gold in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics, told The New York Times in July that he opposes biological males competing against females in sports. However, he has also argued that eligibility decisions should rest with sports governing organizations rather than Congress or the courts.

His legislative record includes a March 2023 vote against requiring students to use school bathrooms and changing facilities corresponding to their sex at birth. That legislation addressed access to facilities rather than eligibility for female teams.

Turek's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on whether he would support federal restrictions on transgender athletes in women's sports.

Ashley Hinson's record on protecting women's sports

Hinson, who represents Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, voted in January 2025 for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The legislation would prohibit federally funded education programs from allowing male athletes to compete in sports designated for women or girls, and it defines sex by reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

Her office described the legislation as protecting the integrity of girls' sports.

Hinson has made the issue a centerpiece of her Senate campaign, arguing that female athletes deserve a level playing field and that federal action is necessary to ensure consistency across states.

Democrats across the country split on the issue

The Iowa race mirrors a broader national divide among Democrats. Some candidates, like Texas nominee James Talarico, say they oppose transgender athletes in girls' sports when safety or fairness is threatened. Others, like Michigan nominee Abdul El-Sayed, say eligibility should be decided by sports governing bodies.

Former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, the Democratic nominee in that state's special election, has opposed federal funding restrictions targeting schools that allow transgender athletes to compete on female teams. His campaign defended those votes as protecting Ohio schools' funding.

In Minnesota, Democratic nominee Peggy Flanagan has committed to supporting the Transgender Bill of Rights, a nonbinding resolution calling for federal protections against gender-identity discrimination throughout school life, including athletics.

Meanwhile, Republican candidates uniformly support restrictions. In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins has explicitly supported excluding transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports, citing fairness, safety and athletic opportunities for female competitors.

What the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act would do

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which passed the House in January 2025 but failed to advance in the Senate, would prohibit federally funded educational institutions from allowing athletes of the male sex to compete in sports designated for women or girls.

The legislation defines sex by reproductive biology and genetics at birth. Supporters argue it is necessary to protect female athletes' opportunities and the integrity of women's sports. Opponents call it federal overreach that targets a small number of vulnerable children.

In March 2025, the bill failed to secure the votes necessary to advance in the Senate, with several Democrats joining Republicans in supporting it but not enough to overcome a filibuster.

Why this matters for Iowa voters

Iowa has already taken action at the state level. In 2022, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law requiring students to compete in sports based on their sex at birth. The law applies to both K-12 schools and colleges.

For Iowa voters, the Senate race offers a clear choice on this issue. Turek's position leaves room for interpretation, while Hinson's record is unambiguous.

Hinson's campaign has emphasized her commitment to protecting girls' sports, and she has made the issue a key part of her outreach to Iowa families. Turek, who has focused his campaign on healthcare and economic issues, has been less vocal on the topic.

Frequently asked questions

What is Josh Turek's position on transgender athletes in women's sports?

Turek told The New York Times he does not believe biological males should compete against females in sports. However, he has said eligibility decisions should be made by sports governing organizations rather than Congress or the courts.

How did Ashley Hinson vote on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act?

Hinson voted for the legislation in January 2025. The bill would prohibit federally funded schools from allowing male athletes to compete in sports designated for women or girls.

What is the current law in Iowa on transgender athletes?

Iowa law requires students to compete in sports based on their sex at birth. The law, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022, applies to K-12 schools and colleges.

When is the Iowa Senate election?

The 2026 midterm elections will be held on November 3, 2026. Turek and Hinson are competing for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking reelection.