Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin is endorsing Josh Turek in Iowa’s Democratic Senate primary as Turek seeks to flip Harkin’s old seat back to Democratic control.
Harkin represented Iowa in the U.S. Senate for 30 years, winning his last election in 2008 and serving through 2014. Since his retirement, his seat has been held by Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking reelection this year.
“I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to win an election, and then to faithfully represent all Iowans, not just those who voted for you,” Harkin said in a statement. “That’s why I’m supporting Josh Turek for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary on June 2.”
Turek, a state representative from Council Bluffs, faces Zach Wahls, a state senator from Coralville, in the Democratic primary.
Turek, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, often cites Harkin as his political hero because of Harkin’s work to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. Turek represented the United States in wheelchair basketball at four Paralympic Games, winning two gold medals for Team USA before winning his Iowa House seat in 2022.
In a statement, Turek said he is “truly humbled and honored” to have Harkin’s endorsement.
“Everything I have been able to accomplish has been because of a great United States senator from Iowa,” Turek said. “Sen. Harkin and his work on the ADA gave me and so many other disabled Americans an on-ramp onto society. The ADA is an example of the life-changing impact of good public policy championed by good public servants.”
Turek said he would continue Harkin’s “prairie populist vision, fighting for the working class, social and economic justice, small family farms and the little guy.”
“Iowa is ready to have a fighter in Washington again, and it will be beautifully poetic when the man who takes back Sen. Harkin’s seat is only here because of his work,” Turek said.
Turek launched his Senate campaign talking about how he won his first Iowa House race by six votes after dragging himself up stairs in Council Bluffs to knock on voters’ doors.
Harkin cited Turek’s electoral record, which includes winning reelection in 2024 in a district that President Donald Trump carried.
“Josh Turek has the Iowa values, the Iowa work ethic, the Iowa ‘can do’ spirit, and has won election and re-election to the Iowa House of Representatives in a very challenging area for Democrats,” Harkin said.
The Democratic nominee will face the winner of a Republican primary between U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and former state Sen. Jim Carlin. Hinson is considered the heavy favorite, with a large fundraising lead and endorsements from Ernst and Trump.
Stephen Gruber-Miller is the Capitol bureau chief for the Des Moines Register. He covers the Iowa Statehouse, the governor’s office and political campaigns. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com, by phone at 515-284-8169 or on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Former US Sen. Tom Harkin endorses Josh Turek in Iowa Senate primary
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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