Council Bluffs’ Josh Turek wins U.S. Senate seat in historic victory
Council Bluffs native Josh Turek is headed to the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican Ashley Hinson in one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 general election.
Turek's victory delivers the city its first-ever senator and helped Democrats take control of Congress.
The Associated Press called the race for Turek at 10:32 p.m. Tuesday. He will succeed Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who did not seek reelection, and begin a six-year term in January.
In a statement following his victory, Turek reflected on the long campaign and the challenge of winning the seat.
“What they said was impossible, together, we have proven that the impossible was possible,” Turek said. “I am deeply grateful to every Iowan who supported our campaign, knocked doors, made phone calls, donated money, put up a sign, and most importantly, entrusted me with their vote.”
Turek’s victory marks a major shift in Iowa politics. He becomes the first Democrat since Barack Obama won reelection in 2012 to win a statewide federal race in Iowa, along with Rob Sand, who won the race for Iowa governor Tuesday.
The seat Turek won was also central to the national battle for control of the Senate, where it became one of several flipped by Democrats on election night.
The campaign drew hundreds of millions of dollars in spending and brought national political figures to Iowa. In the final days, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas campaigned with Hinson in Council Bluffs, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin joined Iowa Democrats at a rally for Turek and other candidates.
Council Bluffs area took center stage in a consequential Iowa election season
For Turek, the victory carries a particular significance at home. The 47-year-old was born and raised in Council Bluffs. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and still lives in the city. He will be the first Council Bluffs native to serve as one of Iowa’s two U.S. senators.
Turek cast his ballot at Community of Christ Church in Council Bluffs shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday. He drove himself to the polling place and told The Nonpareil he felt good about the campaign.
Josh Turek, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and a state representative from Council Bluffs, votes at Community of Christ Church in Council Bluffs on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
“I feel great in the same way that I think I felt with basketball,” Turek said. “The confidence comes from the preparation and, for 450 days, I worked absolutely as hard as I could and put my heart and my soul into this. And I think it's a real clear choice.”
He said he hoped voters would consider whether they were better off than they had been two, four or six years ago.
“What is best for the people of Iowa? What's best for the workers? What's best for the middle class? Because they're the ones who are being hurt and hollowed out right now,” Turek told The Nonpareil.
Born with spina bifida, Turek has used a wheelchair since childhood and built a career in wheelchair basketball. He played professionally in Europe and represented the United States at the Paralympic Games, earning three medals, including two gold medals.
The Iowa Legislature’s official biography also lists Turek as a member of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s High Performance Committee and a member of the halls of fame at Abraham Lincoln High School and Southwest Minnesota State University.
Turek won election to the Iowa House in 2022 and represented House District 20, which includes Council Bluffs.
In his victory statement, Turek reflected on the path from his hometown to the Senate.
“Only in America could someone born into a working class family in Council Bluffs, Iowa, who went through the economic and health struggle that I went through, be able to represent my country in four Paralympic games, win two gold medals, represent my community in the Iowa Legislature, and now, be elected to represent Iowa in the United States Senate,” he said.
During his campaign, Turek described himself as a “common sense prairie populist” and focused on affordability, healthcare, rural access and water quality. He also made his personal experience with disability and his family’s financial struggles part of his appeal to voters.
In his statement, Turek said he intended to focus on lowering costs and raising wages while working with lawmakers from both parties.
“As your next senator, I vow to do just that by tackling the corruption on both sides of the aisle, lowering costs, raising wages, and working with anyone to deliver for Iowa and Iowans,” he said.
