Turek defeats Hinson to seize Iowa Senate seat

Democrat Josh Turek won the U.S. Senate race in Iowa, according to an Associated Press call on November 3, 2026.

The victory ends more than ten years of Republican control of both Senate seats in the state. Turek, a state representative from Council Bluffs, defeated Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. He replaces retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who announced in the fall of 2025 that she would not seek a third term.

Ernst stepped down to open the seat. Turek secured the Democratic nomination in June 2026 by defeating former state Senate minority leader Zach Wahls. He then spent the summer campaigning against Hinson, a former TV journalist who was initially viewed as a front-runner. Hinson received President Donald Trump's endorsement shortly after announcing her candidacy. Trump had carried Iowa by a 13-point margin in the 2024 presidential election.

Turek campaigned on healthcare reform and criticized Hinson for supporting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That legislation reduces Medicaid spending nationwide by nearly $1 trillion. Turek also claimed that Hinson's personal wealth grew substantially during her time in Washington. Both candidates presented themselves as bipartisan lawmakers to appeal to uncommitted voters, but they intensified their attacks as polling showed a tight race.

The campaign became one of the most expensive in the country. Federal spending data indicates the two candidates raised more than $30 million combined. Outside groups contributed more than $100 million to the race, according to Open Secrets. In the final quarter, Turek raised more money than his opponent.

The race was affected by national political trends. President Trump's approval ratings fell, and Iowa's agricultural industry faced pressure from tariffs and higher diesel prices linked to the war in Iran. Some Iowa Republicans began distancing themselves from the president. By the summer, the race was considered a toss-up.

Turek is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in basketball. He uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, a condition he attributes to his father's exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He describes himself as a prairie populist.