ICYMI: Cook Political Report: “With Turek Primary Win, Iowa Senate Shifts”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2026

CONTACT: press@turek4iowa.com

ICYMI: Cook Political Report: “With Turek Primary Win, Iowa Senate Shifts”

Des Moines, IA – Immediately after Josh Turek won the Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate in Iowa, Cook Political Report moved the race rating in his favor, citing his “history of winning in areas President Donald Trump carried” and “an increasingly favorable” environment.

Missed the write up? See below for the highlights:

• National Democrats have long been bullish on the open Iowa Senate race.
• Even though Hinson is a strong candidate who has amassed a formidable war chest, the overall environment in the Hawkeye State is an increasingly favorable one for Democrats given backlash to tariffs and rising fuel and fertilizer prices as a result of the Iran War. Politico reported Tuesday that Hinson said at a recent campaign event that the war will become a “political liability” if it goes on much longer.
• Additionally, as many as three of the state’s four congressional districts could be competitive, and the governor’s race is rated as a Toss Up. As such, we are shifting the Iowa Senate race to a more competitive category as well, from Likely to Lean Republican.
• As we wrote last week in our analysis ahead of the primary, national Democrats believe that Turek’s life story will resonate with independent and disaffected GOP voters. Born with spina bifida due to his father’s exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, he is confined to a wheelchair and won two gold medals for the United States as a Paralympic basketball star. The more moderate Turek also has a history of winning in areas President Donald Trump carried and has pledged to revive the “prairie populism” of Tom Harkin, the last Democrat elected to the Senate from the state.
• The limited general election polling conducted so far has shown a tight race to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst. An early April survey from GOP pollster Echelon Insights showed Turek and Hinson tied within the margin of error. Democrats are also enthused by private polling from both parties which has shown state Auditor Rob Sand leading the open race for governor, and even Republicans privately admit that together Sand and Turek could make a formidable statewide ticket.