Josh Turek Wins Iowa Senate Seat

What happened

Updated 1:12am ET

Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race, flipping a Republican-held seat.
Turek became the first Democrat to win an Iowa Senate race since 2008, in a state President Donald Trump won by 13 percentage points in 2024.
An Iowa state representative, Turek is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball.
Turek campaigned on lowering costs and protecting health care, arguing that Hinson’s support for Trump’s tariffs, the Iran war and Medicaid cuts hurt Iowans.
Turek will replace Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who is retiring when her term ends in January 2027.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed Turek’s victory as a major Democratic breakthrough in Trump territory. The New York Times called it a “Major Victory for Democrats” and described a backlash to Trump’s policies. Mother Jones emphasized Turek’s moderate campaign and attacks on Medicaid cuts, while Daily Kos called the result a “stunning upset.”

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets largely framed the result as a Republican setback in a Trump-won state, often highlighting economic frustration. The New York Post emphasized Turek’s centrist campaign and rising costs; the Daily Mail called it “Trump’s Iowa nightmare.” Breitbart took a more critical approach, highlighting Turek’s missed legislative votes and taxpayer-funded payments.