Iowa Democrats Hope to Flip US Senate Seat Torn Over Which of 2 Has Best Shot/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iowa Democrats are weighing which candidate gives them the strongest chance of flipping a Republican-held U.S. Senate seat in November. State Rep. Josh Turek and State Sen. Zach Wahls are competing in a closely watched primary to replace retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. Despite sharing many policy positions, voters remain split on which candidate is best positioned to win statewide in an increasingly Republican Iowa.
Iowa Senate Primary Quick Looks
- Democrats vote Tuesday in Iowa’s Senate primary.
- Josh Turek and Zach Wahls are competing for the nomination.
- The winner will likely face Rep. Ashley Hinson.
- Republicans hold all federal offices in Iowa.
- Democrats have not won federal office statewide since 2012.
- Turek emphasizes economic populism and crossover appeal.
- Wahls campaigns as an anti-establishment reformer.
- Nearly 30,000 Democrats have already voted.
- Republicans maintain a significant voter registration advantage.
- The race is viewed as one of Democrats’ toughest Senate challenges.
Deep Look
Iowa Democrats Face Critical Senate Choice
AMES, Iowa — Iowa Democrats are heading into a pivotal Senate primary with a simple but difficult question: which candidate has the best chance of winning a statewide race in a state that has steadily moved toward Republicans over the past decade?
State Rep. Josh Turek and State Sen. Zach Wahls have emerged as the party’s leading contenders for the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.
With Republicans dominating Iowa politics in recent years, many Democratic voters say their primary decision is based less on policy differences and more on electability.
Democrats See Rare Opportunity
The open Senate seat has created a rare opportunity for Iowa Democrats.
Republicans currently control all six of Iowa’s federal congressional seats, and the GOP has maintained control of the governor’s office and state legislature for years.
The last Democrat to win federal office statewide was Barack Obama in 2012.
Iowa’s most recent Democratic senator, Tom Harkin, won his fifth term in 2008 before retiring six years later.
Those realities make the nomination especially important for Democrats hoping to regain relevance in statewide elections.
Voters Struggle To Choose
Many Democrats say the decision has been unusually difficult.
Voters describe both candidates as experienced lawmakers with similar policy priorities and strong personal stories.
“I am having a lot of trouble,” longtime Democratic voter Mike Lazere said.
“They both have strong legislative records. They both have compelling stories. I think they both share my values.”
For voters like Lazere, the deciding factor is which candidate has the best chance of defeating Republicans in November.
“Since they’re so close, I just want the candidate who is more likely to have a chance,” he said. “It’s an uphill battle, probably, in Iowa still.”
Turek Promotes Economic Populism
Turek has centered his campaign on economic issues and his personal story.
Born with spina bifida, Turek became a four-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball and later won election to the Iowa House of Representatives.
He argues that Democrats can win back independent voters and moderate Republicans by focusing on everyday concerns rather than cultural and ideological battles.
His priorities include:
- Higher wages
- Expanded health care access
- Clean drinking water
- Economic opportunity
“I’m not gonna get dragged down the rabbit hole of worrying about these distraction issues,” Turek said.
“I think that if we are going to win again in a state like Iowa, it is going be a message of economic populism.”
Turek also points out that he represents a legislative district that supported President Donald Trump, arguing that experience gives him unique insight into winning crossover votes.
Supporters Believe Turek Can Reach Independents
Some Democratic voters view Turek as the stronger general-election candidate because of his ability to appeal beyond the party base.
Supporter Sundie Ruppert described the primary as an “embarrassment of riches” because both candidates are strong.
However, she believes Turek is better positioned to attract independents and moderate Republicans.
“We’ve got to get the independents,” Ruppert said. “I do believe that Josh in a red district has better pull than Wahls.”
That argument has become one of the central themes of Turek’s campaign.
Wahls Emphasizes Independence
Wahls has taken a different approach.
The state senator argues that voters are tired of both parties and want candidates willing to challenge political establishments regardless of ideology.
He has sought to position himself as an independent voice willing to stand up to Democratic and Republican leadership alike.
Wahls has even criticized Turek for declining to reject Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
According to Wahls, frustration with Washington creates an opening for a candidate who openly challenges party leadership.
“We’re not just talking about building a coalition that can win in November, we are already doing it,” Wahls said.
Appeal To Disillusioned Voters
Wahls believes his message resonates with working-class voters who previously supported Obama but later shifted toward Trump.
He says many Iowans feel disconnected from both major parties and are looking for leaders willing to confront entrenched political interests.
“These are voters who are not hardcore MAGA Trump Republicans,” Wahls said.
“A lot of them are just really frustrated with both parties, they don’t trust Washington, they don’t trust the establishment.”
Supporters argue that authenticity and independence could prove more valuable than ideological positioning in a state where political loyalties continue to evolve.
Republicans Begin General Election Preparations
While Democrats focus on the primary, Republicans are already preparing for the fall campaign.
Ashley Hinson is seeking the Republican nomination and enters the race with significant institutional support.
A Republican-aligned political organization has already pledged $29 million to defend the seat, highlighting the importance of maintaining GOP control.
The financial advantage underscores the challenge awaiting whichever Democrat emerges from the primary.
Iowa Remains Difficult Terrain For Democrats
Political realities continue to favor Republicans.
Iowa has voted for Donald Trump in three consecutive presidential elections and Republicans currently hold roughly a 200,000-voter registration advantage statewide.
One notable exception occurred in 2022 when Rob Sand won reelection as state auditor, making him the only Democrat currently holding statewide office.
His success provides some hope for Democrats searching for a path back to statewide competitiveness.
Voters Focused On Winning
For many Democratic voters, the debate ultimately comes down to one question: who can actually win?
Some voters remain so undecided that they have considered splitting support within households.
“They’re both so qualified,” voter Lois Rose said.
“They’re both very genuine, hence the difficulty.”
Regardless of who prevails Tuesday, Democrats understand that the primary may be only the first hurdle in a campaign that remains one of the party’s most challenging Senate opportunities of the 2026 election cycle.
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