Democrats Clash Over Schumer's Influence in Iowa Senate Primary

State Rep. Josh Turek and State Sen. Zach Wahls spar over outside spending groups and electability in race to flip GOP-held seat

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:11am

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A fractured, overlapping painting of a podium in shades of blue, red, and grey, conveying the sense of a heated political battle through its abstract, geometric style.The contentious Democratic primary battle in Iowa's Senate race reflects the broader ideological divisions within the party as it fights to flip a Republican-held seat.Des Moines Today

The Democratic primary fight between state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Wahls for an open U.S. Senate seat in Iowa has emerged as a key race to watch, with Republicans ready to spend heavily to defend the seat this fall. The two candidates sparred over the influence of outside spending groups like VoteVets, which has aligned with Senate Democratic leadership and is supporting Turek, and the electability of each candidate in the increasingly Republican state.

Why it matters

This race is seen as a key battleground in the fight for control of the U.S. Senate, with Republicans eager to defend the seat and Democrats hoping to flip it. The primary fight between the more progressive Wahls and the more centrist Turek, who has the backing of some national Democratic leaders, highlights the ongoing tensions within the party.

The details

At a forum in Des Moines, Wahls attempted to characterize Turek as an extension of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, noting Turek's support from the VoteVets super PAC. Turek reaffirmed his opposition to dark money but did not disavow VoteVets' involvement. The two candidates offered similarly populist answers on economic issues, with Turek arguing he is more electable in the increasingly Republican state. Through December 2025, Wahls had raised about $2 million and Turek had raised about $1.7 million, though both campaigns announced $1.1 million fundraising hauls for the first quarter of 2026.

  • The primary election is scheduled for June 2026.
  • The general election will be held in November 2026.

The players

Josh Turek

A state representative in Iowa who is running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat. Turek is a Paralympic gold medalist in basketball and has won twice in Republican-leaning districts.

Zach Wahls

A state senator in Iowa who is running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat. Wahls was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 at the age of 27, making him the youngest member of the chamber.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader and a prominent figure in the Democratic Party. Schumer has not endorsed in the Iowa Senate race, but there are signals that he prefers Turek over Wahls.

VoteVets

An outside spending group that has aligned with Senate Democratic leadership in the past and is supporting Turek's campaign with over $2 million in advertising.

Ashley Hinson

A Republican congresswoman who is expected to be the GOP nominee for the open Senate seat in Iowa. The Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund has announced it will invest $29 million to boost Hinson's campaign.

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What they’re saying

“We are talking right now about the impact of corporate PAC money and how that has affected a lot of Iowans in our economy, but right now, there is a dark money super PAC that is currently spending millions of dollars bolstering Rep. Turek's campaign.”

— Zach Wahls, State Senator

“I think it's disappointing that he he's trying to take this in such a negative' direction. Anybody that heard myself and then heard Sen. Wahls, you'll see a very distinct energy there. I am someone that is talking about the need for hope and positivity and optimism and the need to focus on the issues — not on going after him.”

— Josh Turek, State Representative

“Chuck Schumer's primary problem is on full display tonight as Josh Turek and Zach Wahls are set for a head-to-head matchup in Iowa's messy Democrat Senate primary. Radical Zach Wahls has won the hearts of Democrats' progressive base, and establishment-backed Josh Turek can't seem to keep up.”

— Samantha Cantrell, NRSC Spokesperson

What’s next

The primary election is scheduled for June 2026, and the general election will be held in November 2026. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the Republican nominee, likely Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, in the general election.

The takeaway

This race highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party, with the more progressive Wahls challenging the more centrist Turek, who has the backing of some national Democratic leaders like Schumer. The outcome of this primary could have significant implications for the battle for control of the U.S. Senate in the 2026 election.