Skip to main content
4 min read

Iowa Democrats hoping to flip a US Senate seat are torn over which of 2 hopefuls has the best shot

Turek argues that his economic message and appeal to moderates give him a strong chance in the general election.

Iowa Democrats hoping to flip a US Senate seat are torn over which of 2 hopefuls has the best shot
Image · ABC News

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityABC News85/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
ABC News
May 30, 2026
tl;dr

Iowa Democrats weighing Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary are divided over whether Josh Turek or Zach Wahls is more likely to win the seat in November. Voters and the candidates offer competing arguments about electability and the appeal of their campaigns.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Joshua Turek D · IA
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Turek in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Turek’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →

Iowa state representative and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Zach Wahls
D · IA

Iowa state senator and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate

Wahls's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States

Ashley Hinson
R · IA-2

Republican U.S. representative and candidate for the GOP Senate nomination

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Democratic leader

Joni Ernst
R · IA · SEN

Republican U.S. senator retiring from the seat

ALSO MENTIONED  Barack Obama, Former U.S. president; Rob Sand, Iowa state auditor and candidate for governor; Tom Harkin, Former U.S. senator from Iowa

Part of a bigger story

10 OUTLETS
Iowa Democrats Assess Turek and Wahls’s Electability

Iowa Democrats weighing the U.S. Senate primary are divided over whether Joshua Turek or Zach Wahls is better positioned to win the seat in November. Both candidates argue they can attract voters beyond the Democratic base. Center outlets frame the choice as an electability contest, presenting the candidates’ competing arguments and voters’ uncertainty; Turek emphasizes crossover appeal.

COVERAGE BY OUTLET LEANTHIS OUTLET
ARTICLES
10
OUTLETS
10
AVG CRED
85
ALSO ABOUTZach Wahls

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…