Nathan Sage endorses Rep. Josh Turek's campaign for U.S. Senate

Sage suspends his own campaign, says Turek will fight for working class Iowans

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Democrat Nathan Sage endorsed state Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, on Monday to become the Democratic nominee in Iowa's 2026 U.S. Senate race. The endorsement comes a day after Sage suspended his own campaign for the nomination, citing fundraising difficulties. Sage said he chose Turek because he "comes from the same kind of working class family I do, and it's time we have more folks like us in Washington."

Why it matters

The endorsement narrows the Democratic primary field for the U.S. Senate seat, with Turek and Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, now the two major candidates competing for the nomination. Sage's endorsement could provide a boost to Turek's campaign as he seeks to position himself as the working class champion against the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson.

The details

Sage said in a statement that he chose to endorse Turek because "he comes from the same kind of working class family I do, and it's time we have more folks like us in Washington." Turek thanked Sage for his contributions to the race, saying they share a "deep commitment to putting the working class first" and that together they will work to keep Hinson out of the U.S. Senate.

  • Sage suspended his campaign on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • Sage endorsed Turek on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Nathan Sage

A former Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Iowa who suspended his campaign and endorsed Rep. Josh Turek.

Rep. Josh Turek

A Democratic state representative from Council Bluffs who is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Iowa.

Sen. Zach Wahls

An Iowa state senator from Coralville who is also running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat.

Rep. Ashley Hinson

The frontrunner for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Iowa.

Pete D'Alessandro

A former Iowa congressional candidate and senior advisor for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, who endorsed Sen. Zach Wahls.

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What they’re saying

“I got into this race because I am tired of hearing the same broken promises from career politicians who are more interested in cozying up to corporate power than in making people's lives better. Washington is made up of 98% generational wealth, only 2% come from the working class, and we wonder why they don't know the first thing about the real struggles of putting food on the table or affording rent next month – that needs to change.”

— Nathan Sage (yahoo.com)

“Iowans are lucky to have a fighter like Nathan Sage. Nathan and I share a deep commitment to putting the working class first, because we know what it's like to struggle and we know that for too long, Washington has not worked for the middle class and our workers. Together, we are building the coalition that will keep Ashley Hinson out of the U.S. Senate and elect a true fighter for the working class. I am deeply honored to have his support.”

— Rep. Josh Turek (yahoo.com)

“As someone who has watched Zach's journey since he stood up to fight for his family in 2011, he is exactly what Iowa Democrats need right now — he is someone who has never been afraid to challenge the status quo and fight for working people with a bold economic vision. … He's proven he can win in competitive counties, has represented rural and small town Iowa, and he understands that we can't keep running the same playbook and expect different results. Zach's focus on taking on corporate monopolies and putting power back in the hands of Iowa families is how Democrats can win again in places we've been losing for far too long.”

— Pete D'Alessandro, Former Iowa congressional candidate and senior advisor for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The Democratic primary for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat will continue with Turek and Wahls as the two major candidates competing for the nomination. The winner will face off against the Republican nominee, likely Rep. Ashley Hinson, in the 2026 general election.

The takeaway

Sage's endorsement of Turek highlights the importance of working class representation in the Democratic party, as the party seeks to win back voters in rural and small-town Iowa. The race will be a test of whether the party can effectively champion economic populism against the Republican frontrunner Hinson.