Iowa Democrat exits Senate race, backs rival

J.D. Scholten Suspends 2026 Senate Campaign, Endorses Josh Turek

Iowa Democratic Representative J.D. Scholten made a significant move on Monday by suspending his campaign for the 2026 U.S. Senate seat and endorsing fellow Democratic legislator Josh Turek in the primary race. This decision aims to consolidate support among Democrats as they prepare to challenge Republican Senator Joni Ernst.

Why It Matters

Scholten's endorsement highlights the importance of healthcare advocacy in the race, with Turek bringing a personal perspective to the issue. As a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, Scholten shared that his family relied on public assistance programs such as Medicaid, Iowa's Area Education Agencies, and free summer lunch programs during his upbringing. He underwent 21 surgeries by the age of 12 due to spina bifida, according to his official campaign biography.

The 2026 Iowa Senate race is seen as a critical opportunity for Democrats in a state that has increasingly leaned Republican in recent elections. Ernst's approach to healthcare concerns has become a focal point for Democratic challengers aiming to make the race competitive.

What To Know

Scholten, a Democrat from Sioux City, entered the race in June after Ernst sparked controversy with her comments at a town hall about Medicaid cuts. She reportedly said, "People are not ... well, we all are going to die," which led to widespread criticism. Her office later clarified that she was attempting to make a broader philosophical point about mortality, not specifically about Medicaid policy.

Turek, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, launched his campaign on Tuesday. The endorsement comes as both lawmakers represent western Iowa districts and share backgrounds as athletes serving in the state legislature. Scholten, a professional baseball pitcher for the minor league Sioux City Explorers, noted that he and Turek share many similarities as athletes representing western Iowa at the Statehouse.

Despite Scholten's exit, the Democratic primary field remains crowded. Iowa Senator Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris, and Nathan Sage, former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce director, are running for the seat alongside Turek. On the Republican side, Jim Carlin, a former state lawmaker, and Joshua Smith, who has run as a Libertarian candidate in previous elections, are also campaigning for the GOP nomination.

Ernst has not officially announced her plans for re-election in 2026, though she has indicated that an announcement is "coming soon." She told a GOP audience last week that Democrats can "bring it on" in the 2026 election. The senator has raised nearly $1.8 million in the first half of 2025 and scheduled an October fundraiser, possibly signaling preparations for a reelection campaign, according to reports.

Early Polling Shows Slight Advantage for Ernst

Early polling of the race shows Senator Ernst with a slight advantage in Iowa. A June Public Policy Polling survey found that Ernst would lead a generic Democrat by about two percentage points—45 percent to 43 percent, with 12 percent still unsure. The poll did not ask voters about specific Democratic candidates and surveyed 568 Iowa voters.

What People Are Saying

In a statement, Scholten said: "There are still so many issues facing Iowans today, but we can't sit by while healthcare is ripped from millions of Americans. And there is no better Democrat in Iowa to talk about healthcare issues than my friend: State Rep. Josh Turek."

Regarding his endorsement decision, Scholten added: "From the very beginning, I thought a prairie populist athlete from Western Iowa would be the best candidate to win in the General election. I still do, but instead of me, I have complete confidence that Josh Turek can take this on."

Turek responded to Scholten's message on X, saying: "I am honored to have the support of J.D. Over the last several years, J.D. and I have fought alongside one another in the state legislature to lower costs for Iowa's families, to make health care more affordable and accessible, to make housing more affordable, and to make life a little bit easier and a little bit better for Iowa's families."

He concluded: "We have an incredible opportunity to beat Joni Ernst in 2026, and I'm proud to join forces with J.D."

What Happens Next?

Turek and Scholten will hold an event in Council Bluffs on Monday evening. Ernst is expected to formally announce her potential reelection campaign within the coming weeks.