An Evening with Josh Turek
— by David Henry, his thoughts after our June 29 Zoom with Josh Turek.
Josh Turek is the right man at the right moment. I left energized and grateful for him and for all Senate Circle members who are supporting him. He is an exceptional candidate as exemplified by his answer to my closing question, "What three things should I share with the folks who could not join us tonight?" Epitomizing his focus on service over self, not one of his answers was about himself as the candidate -- all were about the people of Iowa:
This race is winnable. Polls are tied because Iowa is an open seat in a midterm election and Trump is underwater in Iowa. Plus, as I sat watching Josh speak, he is able to authentically connect with the Independents and Republicans who will swing this race on top of building a strong base of Democratic enthusiasm.
Iowa is the center of the political universe. Nowhere else can you flip three US House seats (as happened in 2018), win an open Governor's race, and win a US Senate race. What he didn't say, but he showed throughout the night, is that he takes seriously his role on top of the ticket to ensure that his coattails carry fellow Democrats to victory.
Iowa is cost-effective and candidate-focused. In addition to Iowa's small size and cheaper media markets, he highlighted the rigors of campaigning in Iowa. Because it is a bellwether state, Iowans have come to expect animated town hall forums, debates, and candidate visits. The national Republican playbook of avoiding voters and following Trump can fail here as it did for Trump's pick for Governor, who refused to debate and lost his primary.
However, what I really learned last night is that Josh is the right person at the right time. So here are my three things to know about him:
Josh is on a mission to win. In his answer to the final question from our Zoom audience, he shared that he believes this race is a battle for the soul of Iowa. He poignantly said he owes his existence to former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's successful passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. With the Trump Administration betraying Iowans while enriching themselves, he knows this is the generational opportunity to reclaim the seat and its mantle of service for all Americans.
As a parent, learning that Josh had his first surgery as a one-day old baby and then endured 20 more before the age of 12, I felt deeply for him and his family. Today his mission to win is fueled by the same grit, determination, and endurance.
Josh knows six votes can change history. Josh won his first state house race in 2022 by six votes.You don't win a race like that and forget about all the tiny details and extra work you put in to succeed. I feel that Josh is going to use every dollar and moment to reach voters and win this race. He will outwork and outhustle Ashley Hinson every day.
Josh is effective in office. He represented the reddest district held by a Democrat, and he was able to hold his seat because he worked behind the scenes to build relationships across the aisle and get things done. This what voters want today--people who work hard and work together.
Thank you again for supporting Josh Turek. If you want to do more, please share Josh's race with friends and family, volunteer, or put more resources into his campaign.