Iowa Democrats are anxiously watching their party’s muddled, multi-candidate primary to see who can find the most momentum to win the seat Republican Sen. Joni Ernst announced she’s vacating.
Some of them are hoping Josh Turek, a state representative with no national name recognition, can take the mantle.
A second-term state lawmaker and Paralympic athlete, Turek has had a hot start to his campaign since becoming a candidate in August, earning high-profile praise, raising significant early money and garnering notice from national Democrats. Despite holding elected office for less than three years, he’s also received a string of prominent endorsements from top Iowa Democrats.