Democrats Are Pouring Into This Red-State Senate Race

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Huff Post

Aug 12, 2025, 06:00 AM EDT


A surprisingly robust primary field has emerged to challenge GOP Sen. Joni Ernst in bright-red Iowa, with state Rep. Josh Turek announcing a run on Tuesday to become the fifth major Democratic candidate in the race.

Turek, who represents Council Bluffs in far western Iowa in the state House, is a former Paralympian who won two gold medals in wheelchair basketball as part of Team USA. He announced his run with a two-minute video in which he casts himself as an underdog who’s managed to win in Trump territory.

Turek joins four already-announced candidates: State Sen. Zach Wahls; Jackie Norris, the chair of the Des Moines School Board and a former chief of staff to then-first lady Michelle Obama; former professional baseball player and State Sen. J.D. Scholten and Nathan Sage, an Iraq War veteran who chairs the Chamber of Commerce in the tiny town of Knoxville.

The size of the field reflects Democrats’ optimism that the backlash to President Donald Trump’s second term could be large enough to give them a fighting chance in a state he won by 13 percentage points in 2024. It also highlights the party’s ongoing uncertainty about the best pathways to compete in red territory.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-democratic-senate-field-in-this-red-state-is-getting-awfully-crowded_n_689aa74be4b0be3f5edc9b82

[pfitz59]

1. Go get 'em

If only Grassley would depart

[druidity33]

2. One can hope he'll depart...

the old fashioned way. I'd consider traveling to Iowa to spit on his grave.

[Polybius]

5. The election will be against Joni Ernst

Chuck Grassley isn't up for re-election until 2028.

[druidity33]

6. His seat will be open

if he's not around to fill it. Maybe you didn't get the drift of my earlier comment...

[Polybius]

8. I knew what you were implying

Funny thing is, he's planning on running for re-election. He wants Strom Thurmond's record.

[paleotn]

3. The thing is, Iowa isn't so bright red.

Wasn't that long ago it was a swing state.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. IA voted for Obama twice.

(ETA - Sen. Tom Harkin is missed! )

[paleotn]

7. Badly missed. He was a gem

A travesty that pig nuts Ernst holds his old seat.