Iowa Senate: Schumer Pick Turek Wins Dem Primary, Hinson Awaits
State Rep. Josh Turek secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday after nearly $10 million in outside spending from Schumer-aligned groups flooded the primary. Now, Rep. Ashley Hinson is preparing to defend Iowa's conservative values against the well-funded challenge.
Turek Crushes Wahls With Establishment Backing
Turek defeated state Sen. Zach Wahls by a decisive 26 points in a race that exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party. Wahls had tried to tap into anti-establishment frustration by tying Turek to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, but voters rejected that message.
The Democratic establishment went all-in for Turek. VoteVets, a left-leaning group with ties to national Democratic leadership, poured $9.7 million into the primary to secure his nomination. That flood of outside cash left Turek vulnerable to attacks from within his own party, with Wahls accusing him of being an extension of Schumer.
Race Rating Shifts, But Iowa Remains GOP Territory
The Cook Political Report shifted the Iowa Senate race from