Iowa Democrats to settle a competitive Senate primary as the party looks to flip GOP seats this fall
By — Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/iowa-democrats-to-settle-a-competitive-senate-primary-as-the-party-looks-to-flip-gop-seats-this-fall Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Iowa Democrats to settle a competitive Senate primary as the party looks to flip GOP seats this fall Politics Jun 2, 2026 6:33 PM EDT DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrats on Tuesday will settle one of the party's last competitive U.S. Senate primaries, choosing between two state lawmakers who each say he is better poised to flip a retiring Republican's seat. LIVE RESULTS: Iowa midterm primaries Either Josh Turek or Zach Wahls will go up against a full-throttled Republican defense of two-term Sen. Joni Ernst's seat, which the GOP considers pivotal to keeping its Senate majority. It's one of many competitive races in Iowa attracting national interest, including from the White House. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both touched down in the state this year to shore up Republican enthusiasm. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is seeking the GOP nomination and has the backing of Trump and Ernst. She is running against former state Sen. Jim Carlin. Democrats feel hopeful that high prices, lost manufacturing jobs, shuttered healthcare facilities and a struggling agricultural economy will help the party dismantle the all-GOP federal delegation and Republican statehouse trifecta. Leading the ticket is State Auditor Rob Sand, the candidate for governor and the lone Democrat currently holding statewide office. Sand, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary, has been able to hone his moderate message, remind voters of his rural upbringing and amass an $18 million campaign fund. Republicans, meanwhile, must close the door on a five-way primary Tuesday for the nominee to replace outgoing Gov. Kim Reynolds. Tense Senate primary grappled with Democratic establishment and electability As Democrats look to reclaim Senate control, the GOP Senate campaign arm has committed $29 million to help the party's nominee in Iowa. The Democratic Party's ongoing debate over the party's direction and strategy to win back disaffected voters is playing out in the state, albeit with different dynamics than it did in Maine or Texas. Turek and Wahls are aligned on many Democratic positions, including a public health insurance option, higher minimum wage and more labor bargaining rights. They both talk about corruption in politics benefiting corporate interests and hurting working-class people. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. But they campaigned on different visions for how to win statewide in November — and attracted distinct lines of attack from their Republican opponents. Turek is a relative newcomer to elected office. He played professional wheelchair bas
Democracy in action! Iowa Democrats strategic primary could be a game-changer, flipping GOP seats in the fall. Idealism meets reality, and progress is made one vote at a time. #Democracy #Politics #IowaPrimaries
While the primary is crucial, its important to remember that winning just one seat doesnt guarantee the outcome. Iowas complex electorate and national political climate could complicate their plans. #Politico #Iowa #Democracy
While a single seat may seem like a small victory, its a crucial step in the broader electoral landscape. Iowas diverse electorate and national political climate indeed add layers of complexity, but with strategic planning and a strong message, Iowa Democrats can still make a significant impact. Lets focus on the process and the principles that will guide our future wins.
Its great to see Iowa Democrats making progress in their Senate primary, as it signals a potential shift in the political landscape and could give them a better chance of flipping a Republican seat in the fall. Its always exciting to see a competitive race and to see how the parties will respond to the changing political climate. It will be interesting to see how this primary plays out and what the implications will be for the fall elections.