Josh Turek says ending Iran war, repealing tariffs would be early priorities if elected
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek said ending the war in Iran and repealing President Donald Trump's tariffs would be among his first priorities if elected.
The Council Bluffs state lawmaker argued the policies are driving up costs for Iowa families and small businesses.
"We're spending a billion dollars a day over there," Turek told The Nonpareil Tuesday at the Pottawattamie County Democrats office in Council Bluffs. "Meanwhile, we're closing schools and roads and hospitals and lead the nation in farm foreclosures here."
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek, left, speaks with Council Bluffs resident Sandy Roberts during a stop at the Pottawattamie County Democrats office on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.
Turek visited the office to rally supporters around early voting and volunteer outreach with two weeks remaining before the Nov. 3 election. He faces Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in a race that could help determine control of the Senate.
Turek said he has heard from Iowans struggling to afford gasoline and from farmers facing high diesel prices and low commodity prices.
"Farmers need free trade and open markets more than any other group," he said. "That's one of the best places we can start day one."
Turek also outlined priorities including affordable housing and healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, clean drinking water and efforts to address Iowa's cancer rates. He said he wants to restrict private equity investment in housing, healthcare and nursing homes, along with implementing campaign finance and congressional ethics reforms.
"I want to fight for the people, not just for billionaires and large corporations," he said.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek visited the Pottawattamie County Democrats office in Council Bluffs to rally supporters and get th…
Turek responds to criticism over missed votes
Hinson's campaign has repeatedly criticized Turek for missing 261 of 445 Iowa House floor votes during the 2026 session.
Turek defended his legislative record, saying he has been recognized for his bipartisanship and effectiveness despite serving in the minority party.
"Over 700 times I've voted with Republicans on immigration reform, on lowering people's taxes, on property taxes," Turek told The Nonpareil. He said he has crossed party lines when he believed it was best for his constituents in Council Bluffs and Carter Lake.
Turek also criticized Hinson's record in Congress, saying she had missed 193 votes herself and accusing her of supporting cuts to health care and Social Security administration funding.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek visited the Pottawattamie County Democrats office in Council Bluffs to rally supporters and get th…
Asked how he would work with Republicans if they retain control of the Senate, Turek said he would not approach the job as a partisan contest.
"I have never viewed this through the guise of Republican versus Democrat," he told The Nonpareil. "I don't think that any party has a monopoly on good ideas."
Turek added that he agrees with Trump on eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits. He also said he supports removing private equity from housing, an issue on which he believes he could find common ground with Republicans.
"Someone that doesn't view this as party over country, but country over party," Turek said of the kind of senator he hopes to be.
Josh Turek says his US Senate race in Iowa will be 'closest election on the map'
Campaign focuses on turnout
During his remarks to supporters, Turek urged volunteers to knock on doors, contact friends and family members and help voters get to the polls.
He recalled winning his first Iowa House race by six votes, describing a Council Bluffs family he met while canvassing. The family told him they had never voted for a Democrat but decided to support him after a conversation at their door.
"That family, had they not voted for me, that six-vote margin doesn't exist," Turek said.
He argued that personal outreach could again make the difference in a close Senate race.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek rallied supporters and organizers to vote early and knock doors during a Council Bluffs stop on Tuesday.
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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek visited the Pottawattamie County Democrats office in Council Bluffs to rally supporters and get th…
