US EditionScholten drops out of Iowa Senate race, endorses fellow state rep
J.D. Scholten endorses Josh Turek to unify Iowa Democrats after raising just $175,000 compared to rivals, signaling early primary consolidation ahead of the 2026 Senate race.
- Ahead of the June 2, 2026 primary, Iowa state Rep. J.D. Scholten announced his withdrawal and endorsed State Rep. Josh Turek on Monday morning.
- Fundraising shortfalls and party strategists pressured Scholten, who trailed rivals in Q2 fundraising, raising far less than Nathan Sage’s $709,000 and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s $720,000.
- Launching his campaign on August 12, Turek, a former Paralympic gold medalist, released a video showing him crawling up stairs and dragging his wheelchair, sources said.
- With Scholten out of the race, the Democratic primary consolidates to four candidates: Turek, Wahls, Norris, and Sage, marking the first withdrawal and field narrowing.
- Looking ahead to Nov. 3, 2026, the Iowa 2026 Senate race is expected to draw national attention as Democrats aim to challenge Sen. Joni Ernst.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Scholten drops out, endorses Council Bluffs Rep. Turek for U.S. Senate
The Democratic Party primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Joni Ernst has narrowed with Sioux City lawmaker and former Husker baseball player J.D. Scholten stepping aside.WATCH KATRINA'S STORY BELOW Scholten drops out, endorses Council Bluffs Rep. Turek for U.S. Senate."I'd rather join forces this early on to win this race rather than do a long, drawn out battle in a primary," Scholten said.Turek, who often refers to former Senator …
Iowa US Senate candidate ends bid to run against Republican incumbent Joni Ernst
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa Democratic state lawmaker bowed out of the 2026 U.S. Senate primary race on Monday and endorsed a fellow legislator as the “best hope” to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who has yet to formally announce her bid for a third term. Rep. J.D. Scholten said in a statement he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Democratic Rep. Josh Turek, who launched his campaign last week. Both represent districts in cou…
Joni Ernst challenger JD Scholten drops out and endorses Democratic rival
Iowa state Rep. J.D. Scholten is dropping out of a crowded Democratic primary to oust Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and endorsing fellow state Rep. Josh Turek instead. Scholten announced he would suspend his campaign at a rally with Turek in…
Democrat Scholten ends U.S. Senate bid, endorses Turek - Radio Iowa
Democrat J.D. Scholten has ended his U.S. Senate campaign and now backs a candidate who entered the race last week. Scholten, who’s from Sioux City, is in the middle of his second term in the Iowa House and has endorsed fellow Iowa House member Josh Turek of Council Bluffs. In a written statement, Scholten said […]
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