Josh Turek wins Iowa Senate seat to give Democrats majority

Democratic Iowa state Representative Josh Turek defeated Republican Representative Ashley Hinson in Iowa's open Senate race, according to the Washington Examiner and Mother Jones. The Associated Press called the race for Turek at 11:35 p.m., with Turek leading Hinson 50.8 percent to 46.1 percent, the Washington Examiner reported. NBC News and Decision Desk HQ also projected Turek as the winner on Tuesday night, Mother Jones reported. [1][2][9][11]

The win gives Democrats their 51st seat in the upper chamber of Congress, the Washington Examiner reported. Turek and Hinson competed to replace outgoing Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a key ally of President Donald Trump, the Washington Examiner said. Mother Jones noted that Turek will become the first Democratic senator from Iowa in more than ten years. [1][2]

Turek, a former Paralympian who played wheelchair basketball professionally in Europe for 18 years and won three Paralympic medals, uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, according to Mother Jones and Grokipedia. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Turek and Hinson previously faced off in an October debate where Turek questioned Hinson over her use of taxpayer funds, while Hinson defended her husband against lobbying accusations. [2][14][15]

The victory was part of a broader push for control of the chamber. In Texas, state Representative James Talarico was projected by NBC News and DecisionDesk HQ to flip a Senate seat for Democrats, UPI reported. Mother Jones also reported Democratic Senate wins for Jon Ossoff, Chris Pappas, Roy Cooper, Annie Andrews, Sherrod Brown, and Adam Hamilton. [3][7]