Josh Turek

Josh Turek
Official portrait, 2023
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
from the 20th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byRay Sorensen (redistricted)
Personal details
Born
Joshua Mark Turek

(1979-04-12) April 12, 1979 (age 47)
Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Jarolin Turek
​
(m. 2018)​
RelativesJohn Turek (brother)
EducationSouthwest Minnesota State University (BA)
DeVry University (MBA)
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website
Sports career
Personal information
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
SportWheelchair basketball
DisabilitySpina bifida
Disability class3.5
Coached byRon Lykins

Joshua Mark Turek (born April 12, 1979) is an American politician and wheelchair basketball player who has been a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 20th district since 2023. He is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 election.

Early life

Turek was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on April 12, 1979. He was born with spina bifida and had multiple surgeries as a child to improve mobility and has used a wheelchair since childhood. He said he was born with the condition because of his father's exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

He played wheelchair basketball for Southwest Minnesota State University and professionally in Europe, and competed with the United States men's national wheelchair basketball team, winning gold medals at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Political career

Turek calls himself a "prairie populist" and a moderate Democrat.

Turek was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2022 and reelected in 2024, in a district that strongly supported Donald Trump. The district has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.

On August 12, 2025, Turek announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. He beat State Senator Zach Wahls in the Democratic primary.

Turek is running against Republican nominee, U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, in the general election.

Personal life

Turek has been married to Jarolin Turek since 2018. They live in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

References

  1. ↑ "Turek, in announcing U.S. Senate run, says Iowans want a moderate Democrat". The Gazette. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  2. ↑ Baccari, Ray (2026-08-26). "Senate candidate Josh Turek discusses cancer rates with survivors in Cedar Rapids". KGAN. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  3. ↑ Brummer, Sheila (2025-08-13). "State lawmaker, Paralympian enters the growing field of U.S. Senate candidates". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved 2026-05-23.
  4. ↑ Burns, Douglas (2024-03-05). "Iowa can tap into its disability community to fill workforce needs • Iowa Capital Dispatch". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  5. ↑ Balk, Tim (June 3, 2026). "5 Things to Know About the Iowa Senate Candidate Josh Turek" – via NYTimes.com.
  6. ↑ Zeleny, Jeff (May 30, 2026). "A Paralympian and 'prairie populist': How this Iowa Senate candidate is trying to spark a rural revival for Democrats | CNN Politics". CNN.
  7. 1 2 Métraux, Julia. "The populist Paralympian who wants to roll into the Senate". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  8. ↑ Opsahl, Robin (August 12, 2025). "Iowa Rep. Josh Turek, two-time Paralympian, launches campaign for U.S. Senate". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Iowa Legislative Services Agency. "State Representative". www.legis.iowa.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-10-09. Retrieved 2026-05-27.

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