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Democratic Senate candidates take part in first TV debate

Turek defended his immigration vote and argued that he could help Democrats win the open seat.

Democratic Senate candidates take part in first TV debate
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This article1 analysis · Oct 7, 2026
Cbs2iowa
May 5, 2026
tl;dr

Iowa Senate candidates Zach Wahls and Josh Turek debated policy positions and their records in their first televised debate, while making the case that they can win the open seat. The winner of the June 2 primary will face either Ashley Hinson or Jim Carlin in November.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
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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

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Democratic Senate candidate and state representative who debated Zach Wahls

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Zach Wahls
D · IA

Democratic Senate candidate and state senator who debated Josh Turek

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

President; his tariffs were discussed by the candidates

Ashley Hinson
R · IA-2

Iowa representative and Republican front-runner for the Senate seat

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader named in the Iowa GOP’s outside-spending criticism

Former Iowa state senator and possible Republican opponent in November

Joni Ernst
R · IA · SEN

Iowa senator who is not seeking another term

ALSO MENTIONED  Tom Harkin, Former Iowa senator mentioned as the last Democrat to represent Iowa in the Senate

Part of a bigger story

5 OUTLETS
Josh Turek and Zach Wahls face off in first Democratic U.S. Senate primary debate

Joshua Turek and Zach Wahls debated in the Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate primary, discussing policy and their records. Turek defended his 2024 vote on an Iowa immigration bill. Center outlets portray the debate as a contest over policy and electability, including disputes about immigration, party leadership and campaign money.

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