NEW: Defend The Vote Endorses Josh Turek for U.S. Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2026

NEW: Defend The Vote Endorses Josh Turek for U.S. Senate

Des Moines — Defend The Vote today endorsed Iowa State Rep. Josh Turek for U.S. Senate, pointing to his strong records of fighting corruption, defending democracy, and advocating for working families over powerful special interests.

“Josh Turek is winning over Iowa voters because they know he will take corruption head-on and fight for working people, just as he’s always done,” said Brian Lemek, Executive Director of Defend The Vote. “Josh understands that working families are getting squeezed by a system tilted toward wealthy special interests and will fight in the Senate to lower costs and restore accountability – two things that are central to his campaign. He’s the change we need in the Senate.”

“As a member of the disabled community, which is disproportionately impacted by attacks on voting rights, I am proud to have the support of Defend the Vote. This campaign is laser-focused on addressing corruption and making Washington work for working people again. I know Iowans are hurting, and it’s working class families like mine that bear the brunt of Washington’s corruption,” said Josh Turek.

Turek will help lead the charge in Washington to lower costs, protect and expand access to health care, and challenge the influence of corporate power. He’ll defend the right to vote and support legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure political power belongs to the people. He will build on his record in the Iowa legislature advocating for working families, government accountability, and protections for people too often left out by the political system. Turek is demonstrating his commitment to bold change by refusing corporate PAC.

Defend The Vote and Defend The Vote Action Fund launched a $14 million cycle plan last year to support their respective missions, with DTV working to elect pro-democracy candidates and DTV Action Fund focused on pro-democracy issue advocacy.

DTV supports candidates through direct donations, fundraising support from its pro-democracy donor network, independent expenditures, issue briefings, message guidance and research, and on the ground and in-state campaign support.

Last cycle, it helped elect 108 pro-democracy candidates, 75% of the candidates it endorsed.

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