{"id":2599382,"date":"2026-05-06T10:21:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-senate-debate-shows-schism-on-schumer\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:22:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:22:22","slug":"iowa-senate-debate-shows-schism-on-schumer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-senate-debate-shows-schism-on-schumer\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Senate debate shows schism on Schumer"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fiowa-senate-debate-shows-schism-on-schumer%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599382&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>During a Tuesday night debate for an open Iowa Senate seat, Democratic candidates Zach Wahls and Josh Turek clashed over whether their party\u2019s eventual choice for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is tied to so-called \u201cdark money\u201d groups.<\/p>\n<p>The dispute began when Wahls asked whether Turek would support Schumer as leader if elected. Turek avoided committing, arguing he is not a \u201cD.C. insider,\u201d while Wahls said he would not vote for Schumer.<\/p>\n<p>Wahls accused Turek of being connected to VoteVets-a progressive super PAC that ran ads supporting him and has reportedly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fmr-white-house-economic-adviser-kudlow-slams-sen-warrens-wealth-tax\/\" title=\"Fmr. White House economic adviser Kudlow slams Sen. Warren\u2019s wealth tax\">received money<\/a> linked to Senate Democrats-citing VoteVets\u2019 spending (about $6.7 million and rising). Turek responded by pointing to Wahls\u2019s past work involving a \u201cdark money PAC\u201d and Wahls\u2019s later acceptance of contributions connected to executives at FTX, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pfizer-bragged-about-being-named-one-of-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-days-before-project-veritas-sting\/\" title=\"Pfizer Bragged About Being Named One Of World\u2019s \u2018Most Sustainable Companies\u2019 Days Before Project Veritas Sting\">bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange<\/a>.Wahls rejected those claims as false, saying he was the victim of fraud.<\/p>\n<p>The winner of next month\u2019s primary will face Republican Rep.Ashley Hinson in the general election for the seat being vacated by retiring sen.Joni Ernst.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The two <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"249\">Democratic<\/a> candidates running for an open <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"468\">Iowa<\/a> seat in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> sparred over the future of Senate Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"384\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY) and his connections to \u201cdark money\u201d organizations during Tuesday night\u2019s debate.<\/p>\n<p>Schumer came up during the debate when Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls asked his primary opponent, Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek, if he would vote for Schumer as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate-democrats\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1068\">Senate Democratic<\/a> leader should Turek be elected in November. Turek declined to say whether he would back Schumer, stressing he\u2019s \u201cnot a D.C. insider\u201d and doesn\u2019t \u201cknow these folks.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4556228\/john-fetterman-party-switch-uncertainty-pennsylvania-2028\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Fetterman party-switch speculation adds uncertainty to Pennsylvania\u2019s 2028 Senate race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4556047\/derek-merrin-house-gop-primary-ohio-kaptur\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Derek Merrin wins competitive GOP primary to take on Marcy Kaptur<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4556137\/ohio-senate-race-set-sherrod-brown-jon-husted\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ohio Senate race set with Sherrod Brown comeback bid against Jon Husted<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Wahls took the opportunity to differentiate himself, reiterating he would not vote for Schumer as leader.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cWe are not going to beat Ashley Hinson with an answer like that,\u201d Wahls said.<\/p>\n<p>Whichever candidate wins the primary next month will proceed to the general election, where the Democratic nominee will challenge Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ashley-hinson\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17670\">Ashley Hinson<\/a> (R-IA) for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joni-ernst\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"970\">Joni Ernst<\/a> (R-IA).<\/p>\n<p>Wahls previously criticized Turek over his fundraising ties to VoteVets, a progressive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/super-pacs\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1704\">super PAC<\/a> that has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/votevets.org\/press-releases\/votevets-launches-new-ad-supporting-josh-turek-in-iowa\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/votevets.org\/press-releases\/votevets-launches-new-ad-supporting-josh-turek-in-iowa\">released television ads<\/a> supporting Turek. The group has received money from fundraising organizations connected to Senate Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>Wahls brought up the issue as he tied Turek\u2019s campaign to support for Schumer, citing VoteVets\u2019 advertising spending.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSen. Schumer is trying to come into Iowa, trying to buy an election to the tune of $6.7 million and climbing,\u201d Wahls said. \u201cAnd the reason \u2026 why this is so frustrating to me is that when we talk about how we can win in this state, we are going to have to be honest with voters about the failures of leaders in both parties.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4511340\/zach-wahls-iowa-expenses-travel-records\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4511340\/zach-wahls-iowa-expenses-travel-records\/\">ZACH WAHLS\u2019S TRAVEL AND HOTEL SPENDING DRAWS SCRUTINY AMID POPULIST MESSAGE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Turek fired back, pointing to his opponent\u2019s past employment at a \u201cdark money PAC\u201d and acceptance of campaign contributions later tied to executives at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ftx\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2938\">FTX<\/a>, a now<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange founded<\/a> by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sam-bankman-fried\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11651\">Sam Bankman-Fried<\/a>. Wahls, the state Senate minority leader at the time, was removed from the position in 2023 over a separate issue.<\/p>\n<p>In response, Wahls said Turek\u2019s claims were \u201ccategorically false\u201d and claimed he was a victim of fraud.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democratic Iowa Senate candidates sparred over Schumer and \u201cdark money\u201d ties<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2599383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP20017820832687.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32923,62442,37043,4411,35343],"class_list":["post-2599382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democratic-party","tag-iowa-senate","tag-political-debate","tag-schumer","tag-u-s-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP20017820832687.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599382"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599386,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599382\/revisions\/2599386"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}