15+ Current and Former Elected Officials, Union Members, and Community Leaders Endorse Josh Turek for U.S. Senate

Council Bluffs, Iowa – More than 15 Iowa leaders in politics, labor, education, and business announced their endorsements of State Representative and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Josh Turek for U.S. Senate today, adding to his mounting support across the state.

New endorsers include Former Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, Former Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner Connie Gronstal, and Former State Rep. and Past ISEA President Linda Nelson. This new batch of endorsers joins a group of leaders confident that Josh is the best candidate to take on Ashley Hinson in November based on his electoral history, personal story, and widespread appeal across the state.

“Josh Turek is exactly the candidate we need to take advantage of this generational opportunity. He’s already proven he can win tough races, and this will be no different,” said Mike Gronstal, former Iowa Senate Majority Leader.

“2026 is going to be the year we flip this seat, and I know Josh is going to be the one to do it,” said Connie Gronstal, a former Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner and early childhood education specialist.

“I’m proud to support Josh for U.S. Senate, because I know we need someone like him in Washington. Josh has always been a friend to labor, and I know he’ll continue to fight for every worker’s right to organize when he’s in the Senate,” said John Holben, Former Branch 314 President, National Association of Letter Carriers.

“We need someone in Washington who is going to work to restore Iowa’s #1 position in public education, and I know Josh Turek will. Josh will fight to ensure every child has access to quality education,” said Angela Griner, Council Bluffs Community School District Board Member.

“Josh has been an incredible advocate for the Council Bluffs community. He’ll continue to fight for small businesses and the working class on the federal level. I’m proud to support Josh and know that he can take on this challenge,” said Matt Johnson, Iowa Western Community College District Director and small business owner.

Newly announced endorsers include:

• Former Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal
• Former Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner and Early Childhood Education Specialist Connie Gronstal
• Former State Rep. and Past ISEA President Linda Nelson
• Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh
• Council Bluffs Community School District Board Member Teresa Hardiman
• Council Bluffs Community School District Board Member Patrick Peters
• Council Bluffs Community School District Board Member Angela Griner
• Council Bluffs Community School District Board Member Dr. Tracy Ozzello
• Council Bluffs Community School District Board Member Lauren Myers
• Iowa Western Community College District Director and small business owner Matt Johnson
• Former NALC Branch 314 President and Former State Legislative Liaison for the Iowa State Association of Letter Carriers John Holben
• Non-profit Executive Director Kimberly Kolakowski
• Small business owner and community activist Shawna Anderson
• ISEA Retiree and Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County Secretary Geri Frederikson
• AFSCME District Council 61 Retiree Becky Andersen

These leaders join an existing list of endorsers that includes:

• International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Local #39
• Former Lt. Governor Sally Pederson
• Webster County Supervisor and Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee Member Niki Conrad
• State Rep. Elinor Levin (District 89, Johnson)
• State Rep. Ross Wilburn (District 50, Story)
• State Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (District 49, Story)
• Former State Rep. Molly Buck (District 41, Polk)
• Former State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (District 34, Polk)
• Former State Rep. Marti Anderson (District 36, Polk)
• Crawford County Supervisor Dave Muhlbauer
• Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Board Member and Reproductive Freedom Advocate Mary Riche
• Sioux City Council Member and Disability Advocate Alex Watters
• Benton County Democrats Chair and IBEW Local 1362 member Tom Haugen
• Harrison County Democrats Chair, Dunlap City Council Member, and President of Boyer Valley Education Association Benjamin Schauer
• Pottawattamie County Democrats Chair Lisa Lima
• Former Attorney General Tom Miller
• Former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky
• State Sen. Molly Donahue (District 37, Linn)
• State Sen. Art Staed (District 40, Linn)
• State Rep. and Minority Whip Sean Bagniewski (District 35, Polk)
• State Rep. Jerome Amos, Jr. (District 62, Black Hawk)
• State Rep. Dr. Austin Baeth (District 36, Polk)
• State Rep. Timi Brown-Powers (District 61, Black Hawk)
• State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines (District 33, Polk)
• State Rep. Larry McBurney (District 44, Polk)
• State Rep. Adam Zabner (District 90, Johnson)
• State Rep. J.D. Scholten (District 1, Woodbury)
• State Rep. Mary Madison (District 31, Polk)
• State Rep. Monica Kurth (District 98, Scott)
• State Rep. Elizabeth Wilson (District 73, Linn)
• State Rep. Amy Nielsen (District 85, Johnson)
• Former State Sen. and Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum (District 36, Dubuque)
• Former State Sen. Robert Dvorsky (District 37, Johnson)
• Former State Rep. and - former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith (District 71, Marshall)
• Former State Rep. Sharon Steckman (District 59, Cerro Gordo)
• Former State Rep. Charlie McConkey (District 15, Pottawattamie)
• Former State Rep. John Forbes (District 44, Polk)
• Former State Rep. Chuck Isenhart (District 72, Dubuque)
• Former State Rep. (District 78, Linn) and current Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz
• Former State Rep. (District 69, Linn) and current Linn County Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt
• Former State Rep. Sue Cahill (District 52, Marshall)