20+ Iowa State Legislators Endorse Josh Turek for U.S. Senate

Turek receives endorsements from current and former members of both chambers, including Minority Whip Sean Bagniewski, former Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, former primary opponent J.D. Scholten, and former IDP Chair Mark Smith

Council Bluffs, IA – Today, more than 20 current and former state legislators representing both chambers have endorsed State Rep. and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Josh Turek for U.S. Senate, citing his record as a bipartisan champion for working families and his track record of winning in one of Iowa’s reddest districts.

Josh continues to build momentum with an impressive fundraising haul fueled by grassroots donations from all 99 counties, dozens of press interviews, and millions of views on his launch video. Last month, State Rep. JD Scholten suspended his campaign to endorse Turek, saying, “there’s no better Democrat in Iowa to talk about healthcare issues.”

“Josh is full of grit, determination, and work ethic - this is a guy who gets out of his wheelchair and crawls up steps to knock on a door in order to earn a vote,” said State Representative Timi Brown-Powers. “Josh isn’t going to be easily turned away by anything, including special interests in Washington, which is why I’m proud to endorse him for U.S. Senate.”

“I’m endorsing Josh because he’s in politics for the right reasons - to help people - and has worked tirelessly to do so,” said State Representative Dr. Austin Baeth. “I really do think Josh is the Democrat who can beat Joni Ernst in the general election next November.”

“There’s definitely no better messenger on Medicaid and the cuts to Medicaid in our state than Rep. Turek,” said former State Representative and current Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz. “While Joni Ernst and Washington Republicans are putting politics before Iowans — gutting our health care to pay for tax cuts for billionaires — Josh will show up every day ready to fight for every Iowan.”

“I’m proud to endorse Josh for U.S. Senate, because there’s no one more focused on the issues that matter most to Iowans,” said State Rep. and Minority Whip Sean Bagniewski. “Josh knows that Iowa’s families are struggling right now, and they need someone who is going to push for legislation that makes life easier for working people, not billionaires.”

“It matters who we send to Washington DC,” said Former State Sen. and Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum. “Josh has been an underdog his whole life, and he knows the impact that someone in Washington can have on the life of a kid in Iowa because he’s experienced it firsthand. He’s not going to forget where he came from, and that’s why I’m proud to endorse Josh for Senate.”

“Josh works harder than anyone I know. Not just to get elected in a conservative district, but to use his office to make life better for Iowans,” Rep. Adam Zabner said. “Beating Joni Ernst won’t be easy, beating special interests in DC will be even harder. Josh can do both and he’ll never forget who he’s fighting for.”

Read the full list of endorsers:

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 77, Johnson)
Former State Sen. and Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum (District 50, Dubuque)
Former State Sen. Robert Dvorsky (District 37, Johnson)
Former State Rep. and former Chair of Iowa Democratic Party Mark Smith (District 71, Marshall)
Former State Rep. Sharon Steckman (District 53, Cerro Gordo)
Former State Rep. Charlie McConkey (District 15, Pottawattamie)
Former State Rep. John Forbes (District 40, Polk)
Former State Rep. Chuck Isenhart (District 100, 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)

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