Two candidates are running in the Democratic primary to represent Iowa in the U.S. Senate on June 2, 2026: Josh Turek (D) and Zach Wahls (D). Incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst (R) is not running for re-election.

The Cook Political Report's Jessica Taylor describes this race as one of the 2026 primaries in which Democrats are debating about what type of candidate would be more electable in a general election: "Do you need to energize your base more to get them to turn out, or do you need to win over the middle?”

According to the Des Moines Register's Stephen Gruber-Miller and Brianne Pfannenstiel, "[Wahls] is seen as the liberal candidate. He argues that a union-supported progressive with a working-class message can cut through the noise and energize the Democratic base. [...] Turek casts a more moderate image that his supporters believe will appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans.”

According to Taylor, endorsements in this race also show an ideological divide: "Moderate senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire both endorsed Turek, while progressive Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren backed Wahls.”

Turek was first elected to represent District 20 in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2022. His professional experience includes working at a wheelchair and mobility assistance company. Turek was also a four-time Paralympian representing the United States in wheelchair basketball, winning two gold medals and one bronze medal.

Turek said, "We have to bring down costs — the cost of health care, housing, prescription drugs, and the cost of doing business for farmers and small businesses. We have to prioritize working people, not billionaires and corporate interests that are screwing them over.”

Wahls was first elected to represent District 43 in the Iowa Senate in 2022 after representing District 37 from 2019 to 2023. From November 2020 to June 2023, Wahls served as Senate Minority Leader. His professional experience includes co-owning his family's tree farm in northeast Iowa. 

Wahls said, "I will stand up to the special interests to lower out-of-control costs and end out-of-control corruption. We must protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, fearlessly defend our freedoms, and demand a government that works for us, not the political insiders.”

As of April 28, 2026, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the general election as Likely Republican.