‘Prairie populist’ Turek wins Democratic nomination for US Senate in Iowa

WASHINGTON, June 2 (Reuters) – Iowa State Representative Josh Turek, who describes himself as a “common-sense prairie populist,” won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate on ​Tuesday and a chance in November to become the party’s first ​senator from the farm-belt state since 2008.

Turek, who is backed by ⁠national Democrats and former Democratic Senator Tom Harkin, defeated state Senator Zach ​Wahls 63.7%-36.3% with 30.6% of the vote counted, according to the Associated Press. ​He will square off against Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, who won her party’s nomination for the open seat.

Turek and Hinson are running to replace Republican Joni Ernst, a two-term senator ​and retired military officer whose decision to retire from Congress has given ​Democrats hopes of picking up the seat in the general election and potentially taking control ‌of ⁠the Senate.

Turek, a 47-year-old gold medalist in Paralympic wheelchair basketball, has a history of getting elected in Republican areas, which supporters say could help him appeal to disaffected Republicans and independents at a time of rising economic anxiety. He ​has also championed access ​to healthcare, a ⁠living wage, affordable housing and other policies important to working families.

Hinson, a 42-year-old three-term congresswoman and former news anchor, ​is backed by President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader John ​Thune ⁠and Ernst. She opposed legislation that ultimately codified the right to same-sex marriage and has campaigned on her support for Trump’s 2025 tax-cut and spending bill.

Independent analysts ⁠rate Iowa’s ​open Senate seat as likely to remain ​Republican. Polling data suggests a tight race in November, with Turek leading by a single percentage point, ​according to the poll-tracking website, RealClearPolitics.com.