Josh Turek, Iowa’s Democratic Senate nominee and a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, participated in the first day of RAGBRAI on July 19, 2026, handcycling across nearly 60 miles from Onawa to Harlan while campaigning for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Turek, a state representative with spina bifida, joined thousands of cyclists on the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, the nation’s longest and oldest weeklong recreational bicycle tour. The event runs for seven days and covers 391 miles across the state, drawing more than 15,000 daily riders from all 50 states and around the world.
For Turek, the ride served as both a personal achievement and a campaign strategy. His participation showcased his physical capabilities while connecting with Iowans across the state during a critical moment in his bid to flip the seat currently held by Republican Ashley Hinson. Turek won the Democratic primary in June 2026 and is considered a long-shot challenger in a state that has trended Republican in recent years.
Turek’s approach of openly embracing his disability as part of his campaign marks a shift in how disabled candidates engage with voters. In a 2016 Illinois Senate race, both Republican incumbent Mark Kirk and Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth were physically disabled—Kirk suffered a stroke in 2012 that left his left side partially paralyzed, while Duckworth lost both her legs and partial use of her right arm in 2004 after a Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting in Iraq was shot down. That race drew national attention as a historic moment for disability representation in Senate campaigns.
Turek’s Senate race comes at a time when disability advocacy groups are pushing for greater accessibility and representation in electoral campaigns. His four Paralympic appearances and wheelchair basketball achievements have become central to his political identity, positioning him as someone who has overcome significant physical challenges to represent his constituents.
The Iowa Senate race is emerging as one of the nation’s most competitive midterm contests, with Democrats hoping to flip the seat vacated by retiring Republican Senator Joni Ernst. Turek’s campaign strategy—including high-profile events like his RAGBRAI participation—aims to build momentum ahead of the November 2026 general election.
Sources
- New York Times — reported Turek’s participation in RAGBRAI and the 60-mile distance between Onawa and Harlan
- KTIV — confirmed Turek participated on the first day of RAGBRAI on July 19, 2026, while campaigning
- RAGBRAI official website — provided details on the 2026 event dates (July 18-25), 391-mile total distance, and 15,000+ daily riders
- NBC News — reported Turek’s Democratic primary victory in June 2026
- Washington Post — documented the 2016 Illinois Senate race between Mark Kirk and Tammy Duckworth, both physically disabled candidates
- ALREADY_RETRIEVED search results — confirmed Turek is a 2-time Paralympic gold medalist, 4-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball, and is running against Republican Ashley Hinson for Iowa’s open Senate seat
