NBC News Projection: Josh Turek Wins Democratic Senate Primary in Iowa
Turek will face Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson in the general election for the seat being vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst.
The Primary Results
NBC News projects that Josh Turek has won the Democratic primary for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat. Turek defeated state Sen. Zach Wahls to secure the nomination. On the Republican side, Rep. Ashley Hinson won her party's primary, bolstered by an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
The General Election Matchup
The general election is set to be a competitive contest between Turek and Hinson. The seat is open because Republican Sen. Joni Ernst is not seeking re-election. The Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund has already pledged $29 million in advertising for the general election campaign.
Who is Josh Turek?
Turek, 47, is a former Paralympic gold medalist in basketball. He has spina bifida, which he attributes to his father's exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He is backed by former Sen. Tom Harkin and received significant support from the outside group VoteVets, which spent $10 million on advertising in his favor—nearly two-thirds of all Democratic ad spending in the primary.
Who is Ashley Hinson?
Hinson, 42, has represented Iowa's 2nd congressional district since 2021. She is the Republican nominee and will seek to hold the seat for her party in the November election.