Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek is facing backlash from within his own party over a new campaign advertisement in which he stakes out conservative positions on transgender issues, a move that has exposed deep divisions among Iowa Democrats ahead of the general election.
In the ad, Turek, a Paralympian who uses a wheelchair, addresses his personal experience with bullying and his belief in fair competition. "As a kid in a wheelchair, I faced my share of bullying. That's why I believe that no Iowan should face discrimination," he says. "As a Paralympian, I also know it's important to have rules." He then adds, "It's why I oppose males competing in female sports, something that is already illegal in Iowa. I'm against taxpayers paying for sex changes too. Anyone tells you any different, is lying."
The ad has drawn sharp criticism from some Democratic activists and officials who argue that Turek's positions contradict the Iowa Democratic Party's platform, which does not support restrictions on transgender health care. Osceola County Democratic Party Chair Kathy Winter told The Washington Post that she cannot support Turek, saying, "At a time of unprecedented hate and bigotry being directed at transgender Iowans, I cannot in good conscience vote for a man who is promising to make their lives worse."
State Representative Aime Wichtendahl, a Democrat, also pushed back on Turek's messaging. In an interview with KCRG, she said, "You don't need to throw people under the bus to win elections." She added, "The plain fact is that these talking points don't win elections. These talking points aren't going to gain you anything with the voters."
Turek's ad comes after Republicans and Elon Musk spent millions on ads that falsely targeted his stance on transgender issues, according to The New York Times. Turek told CNN's Manu Raju that he has been consistent on the issue and that his Paralympic background gives him "more credibility to talk about this than almost any other politician in the country." He said, "They're putting $20 million in negative television ads to try to make me appear somebody I'm not, so I thought it was important we set the record straight."
Defending his position, Turek said, "I believe biological males should not compete in female sports, and if that rubs some people in my party the wrong way, we're a big party, and you don't have to agree with me on everything."
The controversy reflects the broader national debate over transgender rights, which has become a flashpoint in U.S. politics. Republican lawmakers and conservative activists have pushed to restrict transgender participation in sports and access to gender-affirming care, while Democrats are split between those who advocate for full inclusion and those who favor more moderate positions to appeal to swing voters.
President Trump, on his first day back in office, signed an executive order recognizing only two sexes and directing federal agencies to stop promoting gender transition. That move has intensified the political stakes for candidates like Turek, who must navigate a deeply polarized electorate.
As the election approaches, Turek's ad has become a test of how Democrats in Iowa balance party loyalty with electoral viability. The internal strife could have implications for Democratic hopes in the midterms, as the party seeks to unify its base while appealing to independent voters. Meanwhile, control of the House may hinge on tight races where such cultural issues could sway undecided voters.
