Josh Turek Announces New Slate of High-Profile Endorsers from Across Iowa

40 current and former legislators, county party chairs, and community advocates rally around Josh

Council Bluffs, IA – Fourteen additional legislators and community leaders have endorsed State Representative and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Josh Turek for U.S. Senate, as he continues to grow his support across the state.

New endorsers, including former Lt. Governor Sally Pederson, fifth-generation farmer Dave Muhlbauer, and reproductive freedom advocate Mary Riche, point to Josh’s core values, unmatched work ethic, and ability to beat Ashley Hinson in November as reasons for their support.

“I know that we can win this seat back, and I believe Josh is the one to do it. Iowa has not ‘gone red’ – we are still the same state that elected Tom Vilsack and Tom Harkin,” said former Lt. Governor Sally Pederson. “2026 will be the year we take back our state, and I’m proud to support Josh as the candidate to do it.”

“I’m endorsing Josh for U.S. Senate because I think he is a great candidate. He’s wicked smart, down-to-earth, and leads with common sense. With what Josh brings to the table, I know he can win a statewide race and really help lift Iowa out of some of our challenges,” said Dave Muhlbauer, Crawford County Supervisor and fifth-generation farmer. “I can’t think of anyone better to endorse.”

“This election provides a generational opportunity that excites me and Josh is a proven winner. He’s the type of candidate we need to win this important seat. I’m endorsing Josh because I know he is a competitor, a champion, and a fighter for women, the working class, and for all Iowans,” said Mary Riche, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Board Member and longtime reproductive freedom advocate. “He will be a powerful spokesperson for the state, a U.S. Senator that will make all Iowans proud.”

Endorsers come from more than 15 different counties – spanning rural and urban communities – and include some of the most important voices in Iowa.

Newly announced endorsers include:

• 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
• Former 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

These leaders join an existing list of endorsers that includes:

• 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)