{"id":2637206,"date":"2026-07-29T11:55:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T15:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-endorses-iowa-representative-josh-turek-for-us-senate-seat\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T12:01:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:01:05","slug":"obama-endorses-iowa-representative-josh-turek-for-us-senate-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-endorses-iowa-representative-josh-turek-for-us-senate-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Obama endorses Iowa representative Josh Turek for US Senate seat"},"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\">20<\/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%2Fobama-endorses-iowa-representative-josh-turek-for-us-senate-seat%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=2637206&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>Former President barack Obama endorsed Democratic candidate Josh Turek for Iowa\u2019s open Senate seat. Obama backed Turek in a video showing them playing basketball, praising his character and victory in the Democratic primary. Turek, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/youtube-superstar-blippi-debuts-genocide-olympics-special-aimed-at-young-children\/\" title=\"YouTube Superstar Blippi Debuts Genocide Olympics Special Aimed at Young Children\">paralympic gold medalist<\/a> in wheelchair basketball, now serves as a state representative. Despite Obama\u2019s influence, Iowa has shifted more Republican in recent elections, backing Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024. <\/p>\n<p>The Republican candidate,Ashley Hinson,has received support from prominent Iowa GOP figures like Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. Hinson and Turek will debate before the November election, where Hinson criticizes turek for missed votes and liberal positions, while Turek accuses Hinson of supporting prolonged war and mismanages issues like transgender policies and immigration. fundraising shows Hinson has a important lead, with over $6.7 million, compared to Turek\u2019s $2.3 million. Polls indicate a close race, with Hinson slightly ahead. The seat is rated as \u201cleans Republican\u201d for the 2026 race.  <\/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 class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/barack-obama\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"360\">Barack Obama<\/a> formally endorsed Democratic nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590335\/iowa-democratic-senate-primary-2026\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4590335\">Josh Turek<\/a> for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa\/\">Iowa\u2019s<\/a> open Senate seat on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former commander in chief backed the state representative, who won the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1964\">Democratic<\/a> Senate primary by a 24.8-point margin, in a video of the two playing basketball. Before launching his political career in Iowa, Turek won two Paralympic gold medals in wheelchair basketball for Team USA in 2016 and 2020, competing in four Paralympic Games.<\/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\/4666986\/two-different-paths-democrats-fight-over-socialism\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Two different paths for Democrats in fight over socialism<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4664050\/dnc-relevancy-ken-martin-scandal\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DNC faces questions of relevancy in wake of Ken Martin\u2019s scandals<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4661672\/house-starts-august-recess-kicks-off-campaign-stretch-traveling-districts\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>House starts its August recess and kicks off crucial campaign stretch<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Obama, also famously a basketball fan, announced his endorsement of Turek with a video of the two playing \u201cI-O-W-A,\u201d a spin-off of the shooting game \u201cH-O-R-S-E,\u201d which Turek won.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve seen enough. Not only did I get whooped, but you\u2019ve got here a man of character, somebody who knows how to win,\u201d Obama <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/turek4iowa\/status\/2082425430942826842?s=20\">said<\/a>. \u201cNow the ball\u2019s in your court, Iowa. Let\u2019s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Obama\u2019s endorsement carries weight in the purple-red Hawkeye State, as the former president won the state in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, defeating John McCain by 9.3 percentage points and Romney by 5.6 points. But the state has swung further right in recent presidential elections, backing President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> in 2016, 2020, and, most recently, 2024 by a 13.3-point margin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump\u2019s margins and the state\u2019s sitting GOP Senate delegation bode well for Trump-endorsed Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ashley-hinson\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"17670\">Ashley Hinson<\/a> (R-IA). Hinson is also backed by both Sens. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-grassley\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"963\">Chuck Grassley<\/a> (R-IA) and retiring <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joni-ernst\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"970\">Joni Ernst<\/a> (R-IA), each a longtime GOP titan of Iowa politics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hinson and Turek agreed this week on two debates ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, with the dates yet to be determined. In her statement accepting the debate, Hinson hit Turek hard on his state legislature record and his votes related to transgender policies for minors and illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJosh is a liberal who owes Iowans answers on why he missed more than half the votes in the legislature while collecting more than $20,000 in daily per-diem from taxpayers,\u201d Hinson said in a statement. \u201cWhat\u2019s worse is, when he did decide to show up for work, Josh voted to let kids change their gender without parental consent and to give taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Turek has continued to hit Hinson for her support for the war in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"100\">Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBy voting to continue this war in Iran, Ashley Hinson has once again shown that she does not care about Iowans. As gas prices hit nearly $4 per gallon and our farmers deal with skyrocketing input prices, Hinson is voting to support a war with no end in sight,\u201d Turek said in a statement after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4660466\/democrats-peel-off-republicans-first-iran-war-house-vote-fighting-resumed\/\">House vote<\/a> to support an end to the war.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4649468\/buttigieg-hopes-boost-josh-turek-iowa-fundraising-ashley-hinson\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4649468\/buttigieg-hopes-boost-josh-turek-iowa-fundraising-ashley-hinson\/\">BUTTIGIEG HOPES TO BOOST JOSH TUREK AS IOWA CANDIDATE\u2019S FUNDRAISING LAGS BEHIND ASHLEY HINSON<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Election forecaster Cook Political Report <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/senate\/race\/488566\">pings<\/a> the seat as \u201cleans Republican\u201d in its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11675\">2026 race<\/a> ratings. Hinson also leads Turek in fundraising <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/elections\/senate\/IA\/2026\/\">numbers<\/a>, with Hinson boasting over $6.7 million in cash on hand, while Turek has over $2.3 million.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turek and Hinson have been pretty much <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/iowa-us-senate-election-polls-2026.html\">split<\/a> in the available general election polling. In the most recent <em>New York Times<\/em>\/Siena University <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/07\/01\/polls\/times-siena-iowa-poll-crosstabs.html\">poll<\/a>, Hinson led Turek by 2 points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Obama endorses Iowa Democrat Turek in Senate race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2637207,"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\/07\/image-collage-v5wl1af5o-1785330372596-e1785338303928.jpg?1785315986&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[13348,5626,63462,5315,44832],"class_list":["post-2637206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-endorsement","tag-iowa","tag-josh-turek","tag-obama","tag-us-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-v5wl1af5o-1785330372596-e1785338303928.jpg?1785315986&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637206","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\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2637206"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2637210,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637206\/revisions\/2637210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2637207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2637206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2637206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2637206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}