Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa Democrats on Tuesday will settle one of the party’s problems Another competitive primary for the US Senatechoosing between two state legislators who each say they are in a better position to flip Retired Republican seat.
Either Josh Turek or Zach Walz will face a strong Republican defense for two-term Sen. Joni Ernst’s seat, which the GOP views as pivotal to maintaining its Senate majority. It’s one of several competitive races in Iowa drawing national attention, including from the White House. president Donald Trump And Vice President J.D. Vance both of them Landed in the state This year for Boost Republican enthusiasm.
US Rep. Ashley Hinson is seeking the Republican nomination and has the support of Trump and Ernst. She’s running against former state Sen. Jim Carlin.
Democrats feel hopeful Which High pricesloss of manufacturing jobs, Closed health care facilities And he struggles Agricultural economics It would help the party break up the all-GOP federal delegation and the GOP state caucus. The ticket is led by the state auditor Rob Sanda candidate for governor and the only Democrat currently holding statewide office. Unopposed in his primary and with no clear Republican challenger, Sand had a long way to go to refine his moderate message, remind voters of his rural upbringing and raise $18 million to finance his campaign.
Meanwhile, Republicans must close the door on a five-way primary on Tuesday so the nominee can replace him Outgoing Governor Kim Reynolds.
Democrats are also looking forward Regain control of the SenateIowa is one of the last states on the map where candidates are still fighting to be the party’s nominee. The Senate Republican Party’s campaign arm has committed $29 million to help the party’s nominee.
Democratic Party Ongoing debate The party’s direction and strategy for winning back disaffected voters is playing out in Iowa, albeit with different dynamics than what happened in Iowa. who or Texas.
Turek and Walz agree on many Democratic positions, including public health insurance, a higher minimum wage, and more labor bargaining rights. They both talk about corruption in politics that benefits corporate interests and hurts the working class.
But they campaigned on different visions of how to win statewide last November, attracting distinct lines of attack from their Republican opponents.
Turek is a relative newcomer to elected office. He played professional wheelchair basketball in Europe, and competed for the United States in four Paralympics, including the most recent Paralympics in 2021. He won his House seat in 2022.
Wahls rose to national prominence in 2011 when he was 19 years old and defended his two mothers before lawmakers considering a resolution against same-sex marriage. He spoke at the Democratic National Convention the following year. He won his first term in the Senate in 2018 and has been Senate Democratic leader for nearly three years.
Walls said at the time that it was his “vision for change” that prompted his Senate colleagues to oust him as minority leader. He stressed in last month’s debate that we “desperately need a new vision for small-town and rural Iowa,” and said his message resonates with disillusioned working-class voters in both parties.
Wallace’s opposition to the US Senator. Chuck Schumer As party leader it was one of the basic tenets of his campaign. He criticized the coastal playbook that doesn’t work in Iowa.
Turek referred to himself as an underdog when he launched his campaign last August, but a torrent of outside support has buoyed him in the final stretch. Democratic political operation VoteVets spent $10 million covering the airwaves, social media and mailboxes in support of Turek. Political organizations affiliated with Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who heads the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, recently contributed to Turek’s campaign committee.
In response to Wallace’s criticism about the cash, Turek said he is not a “D.C. insider.” He has argued that his success in the district Trump won could translate statewide.
Five Republicans are running in the primaries to replace Reynolds The third offer has been unsubscribed. The candidate will face a well-funded sand.
The two candidates are US Representatives. Randy Feenstraand state Rep. Eddie Andrews, businessman and former conservative political director Zach Lane, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former director of the state Department of Administrative Services Adam Stein.
Trump endorsed Feenstra on Friday, saying on social media that “Randy is MAGA all the way!”
If no candidate wins at least 35% of Republican primary voters, the nominee will be chosen at the contested state party convention scheduled for June 13.
Iowa Republicans have not held a competitive primary for governor since former Gov. Terry Branstad won the nomination in 2010. Reynolds became governor in 2017 when Branstad was Appointment of a US ambassador to China.
As Republicans celebrate years of progress under Reynolds, the primaries have exposed sticking points over economic development, tax policy and tax policy. Property rightsAnd also the relationship between the state Water qualityFarm conservation practices and high cancer rates.
Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is backed by Trump, again faces a challenge in the 1st District from businessman David Bouche, who received 44% of the vote against the incumbent congresswoman in the 2024 primary. Three-time Democratic nominee Christina Bohannan, who ran About 800 votes shy of ousting In the last election, Miller-Meeks earned the support of the Democratic Congressional Committee, but first she must fend off her primary opponent, first-time candidate Travis Terrell.
In northeastern Iowa, former state Rep. Joe Mitchell, who has been endorsed by Trump, and state Sen. Charlie McClintock are seeking Hinson’s open seat in the 2nd District. Three Democrats want the nomination: State Rep. Lindsay James, former nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Paul, and Kathy Dolter, the former dean of nursing at a community college in Iowa.
Incumbent Republican state Rep. Zach Nunn and Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott have no opposition on the primary ballot in the competitive 3rd Congressional District.