Scholten drops out of Iowa’s U.S. Senate campaign, endorses fellow western Iowa lawmaker Turek

DES MOINES — J.D. Scholten is dropping out of the crowded Democratic primary in Iowa’s U.S. Senate election, and endorsing fellow Democratic state legislator Josh Turek, who just announced his candidacy this past week.

Scholten, a state lawmaker from Sioux City, announced his decision Monday morning in a news release issued by Turek’s campaign.

The other Democrats running in Iowa’s U.S. Senate election are state legislator Zach Wahls of Coralville, Des Moines school board member Jackie Norris, and former chamber of commerce leader Nathan Sage of Indianola.

Incumbent Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has not yet said whether she plans to run for re-election, but recently said an announcement is coming soon.

Scholten was the second Democrat to announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate, in early June. In his campaign events, he has called for breaking up agriculture monopolies and ensuring health care access for everyone.

“There are so many issues facing Iowans today, but we can’t sit idly by while health care is ripped from millions of Americans. Understanding this, I believe that there’s no better Democrat in Iowa to talk about health care issues than my friend, State Rep. Josh Turek,” Scholten said in a statement in the Turek campaign’s news release.

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

Scholten said that what he does next — whether he runs for re-election to the Iowa House or pursues something else — remains to be determined. Scholten, a former minor league pitcher who has been pitching this summer for the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball, told The Gazette that finishing the baseball season is now the only thing he has planned.

Turek, a state legislator from Council Bluffs and a former Paralympic basketball player, picks up the endorsement of a former candidate just days after entering the race.

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The Turek campaign’s news release said Turek and Scholten developed “a close working relationship and friendship in the state legislature.”

“I am honored to have the support of J.D.,” Turek said in a statement in the press release. “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. We have an incredible opportunity to beat Joni Ernst in 2026, and I’m proud to join forces with J.D.”

Iowa’s 2026 primary election is June 2.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

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