Two Democrats File for Iowa Statewide Primaries

Senate and gubernatorial candidates submit petitions for June ballot

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:18pm

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Two Democrats, Josh Turek and Julie Stauch, have filed paperwork to run in the June 2026 primary elections for U.S. Senate and Iowa governor, respectively. Turek, a current state representative, says he is "battle-tested" after defeating a Republican in a district that voted for former President Trump. Stauch, a political operative, will face fellow Democrat Rob Sand in the gubernatorial primary.

Why it matters

The upcoming 2026 Iowa primaries will help determine the Democratic Party's nominees for key statewide offices, including the U.S. Senate seat currently held by a Republican and the governorship. These early filings signal the start of the campaign season and provide insight into the potential matchups and dynamics within the Iowa Democratic Party.

The details

Josh Turek, a Democratic state representative from Council Bluffs, has submitted nearly 10,000 signatures to secure a spot on the 2026 U.S. Senate primary ballot. Turek is running against fellow Democrat Zach Wahls, a state senator from Coralville. Turek says he is the only candidate in the race who has previously defeated a Republican, winning in a district that former President Trump carried by double digits in 2024. Meanwhile, Julie Stauch, a political operative with experience on presidential and U.S. Senate campaigns, has also filed paperwork to run for Iowa governor. Stauch will face off against fellow Democrat Rob Sand in the June primary.

  • The 2026 Iowa primary elections will be held on June 2.

The players

Josh Turek

A Democratic state representative from Council Bluffs who is running for the U.S. Senate. Turek says he is "battle-tested" after defeating a Republican in a district that voted for former President Trump.

Zach Wahls

A Democratic state senator from Coralville who is also running for the U.S. Senate.

Julie Stauch

A Democratic political operative with experience on presidential and U.S. Senate campaigns who is running for Iowa governor.

Rob Sand

A Democrat who will face Stauch in the primary election for Iowa governor.

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What they’re saying

“I am battle-tested and ready to campaign after submitting nearly 10,000 signatures on nominating petitions to secure a spot on the Democratic Party's 2026 primary ballot.”

— Josh Turek, U.S. Senate candidate

What’s next

The June 2, 2026 primary elections will determine the Democratic Party's nominees for the U.S. Senate and Iowa governor races.

The takeaway

The early filings for the 2026 Iowa primaries suggest a competitive Democratic race for both the U.S. Senate seat and the governorship, with candidates touting their experience and ability to appeal to a broad range of voters in the state.