Former President Barack Obama endorsed Iowa Democrat Josh Turek for U.S. Senate on Wednesday, lending his star power to one of Democrats’ most competitive pickup opportunities in the 2026 midterm elections. The endorsement, announced in a video showing the two shooting hoops in an I-O-W-A basketball game, comes as Turek prepares for a challenging general election matchup against Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson.
Turek, a state representative and 4-time Paralympian with two Olympic gold medals in wheelchair basketball, won Iowa’s Democratic primary on June 2, defeating state Sen. Zach Wahls. The seat is opening because retiring two-term Sen. Joni Ernst is not seeking reelection, creating what Democrats view as a genuine opportunity to flip a Republican-held seat in a state that has trended red in recent years.
In the video, Obama recalls his own success in Iowa, saying “I know a little something about winning Iowa,” a reference to his 2008 caucus victory that launched his presidential campaign. He won Iowa again in both the 2008 and 2012 general elections. “Of all the things I’ve done in politics, Iowa was my favorite thing,” Obama says in the endorsement. “There was just a magic about regular folks showing up.”
Obama concludes the video by saying Turek “whooped” him in their basketball game, before making his pitch: “Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa. Let’s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.”
The endorsement reflects Obama’s growing involvement in the 2026 cycle. In May, he joined James Talarico at a taco shop in Texas to support the Democratic Senate candidate, signaling that the former president plans to be an active fundraiser and campaigner for his party’s nominees heading into the fall elections.
Trump has endorsed Hinson, who is serving her third term in Congress representing northeast Iowa. Trump won Iowa by double digits in the last presidential election, and no Democrat has represented the state in the Senate for more than a decade. Still, national Democrats and political analysts view this race as winnable, particularly given Turek’s unique profile and appeal to voters in a state where he represents what has been called “the reddest seat held by a Democrat.”
Turek, 47, from Council Bluffs, is one of the first permanently disabled members of the Iowa House. His campaign has centered on his background as both a high-level athlete and a disability advocate, including a recent cross-state handcycling tour to connect with voters across Iowa. Known for his love of basketball, Obama had a professional-grade court installed at his Presidential Center and has met with WNBA players there, including Iowa native Caitlin Clark, underscoring the sport’s role in his public engagement.
The general election on November 3 will test whether Democrats can overcome Iowa’s recent rightward shift and whether Turek’s profile as a Paralympic champion and disability rights advocate can resonate with enough voters to flip the seat. Obama’s endorsement signals national Democratic confidence in the race and provides Turek with both fundraising momentum and a symbolic boost heading into the final months of the campaign.
Sources
- AP News — Obama’s endorsement announcement and video details, Turek’s background as Paralympic athlete and state representative
- KCCI — Obama endorsement video details, Turek’s wheelchair basketball background, Hinson’s Trump endorsement, Ernst’s retirement
- Des Moines Register — Hinson’s congressional service and Trump endorsement
- Ballotpedia — Turek’s June 2 primary victory over Zach Wahls, general election matchup details
- Team USA — Turek’s Paralympic medal count and basketball career details
