Democrat Josh Turek wins Iowa Senate seat, flipping it from GOP

Democratic state representative Josh Turek won the open U.S. Senate seat in Iowa, defeating Republican Ashley Hinson, according to projections from CBS News, NBC News, and the Associated Press.

Turek, a former wheelchair basketball Paralympian and state lawmaker, campaigned on bipartisan cooperation and challenged Hinson's alignment with former President Trump and his policies.

Hinson, a former local news anchor and U.S. House representative, initially supported Trump's agenda but later called for an end to the war in Iran and pledged to push back on the president when necessary.

The race was closely contested, with both candidates investing heavily in the campaign. Iowa, which has trended Republican in recent years and was won by Trump by 13 points in 2024, had not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008.

Turek's victory is part of a broader Democratic gain, flipping five Senate seats and securing a majority in the chamber, despite a map that initially favored Republicans.

The outcome reflects voter concerns over trade policies, the war in Iran, and rising fuel prices, which have impacted Iowa residents.

Democrats view this win as a critical boost in their effort to take control of the Senate, while Republicans face unexpected challenges in traditionally red states like Iowa.