Democratic US Senate candidate and Iowa State Representative Josh Turek (D) participates in the US midterm elections on Election Day, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, US, November 3, 2026. REUTERS/Vincent Alban
Democratic US Senate candidate Josh Turek participates in the US midterm elections on Election Day, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, US, on November 3, 2026 [Vincent Alban/Reuters]
Published On 4 Nov 2026

Democrat Josh Turek has been elected to the US Senate, defeating Republican Representative Ashley Hinson.

Turek’s victory over Hinson flips a Republican-held seat and boosts Democrats’ efforts to retake control of the Senate.

A state representative since 2023, Turek competed in four Paralympics and played professional wheelchair basketball in Europe.

Hinson was endorsed by Trump, who carried Iowa ⁠in three straight presidential elections. Turek’s victory underscored Democratic gains in a state that had initially been expected to remain safely Republican.

It’s been more than a decade since a Democrat represented Iowa in the Senate. The seat is held by retiring two-term Senator Joni Ernst.