Source:
Summary
Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa, has missed over half of his votes in 2026 while receiving over $20,000 in per diem payments. Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist and state legislator, has struggled to balance his role as a legislator and candidate. He has missed critical votes to raise campaign cash across the country, including a set of 12 votes while raising $43,000 in donations from residents of Southern California.
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As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa, has taken over $20,000 in per diem payments while missing more than half of his 2026 votes. He has missed critical votes to raise campaign cash across the country, including a set of 12 votes while raising $43,000 in donations from residents of Southern California. Turek’s campaign has pointed out that other candidates, including his Republican challenger, Rep. Ashley Hinson, also miss votes to fundraise. The pattern of missing votes for campaign events has become a familiar phase in the election process.
The observation that stands out is that Turek’s campaign has framed him as a classic example of the American underdog story, overcoming being born paralyzed from the waist down to play basketball for the U.S. in the Paralympic Games, winning championships in 2016 and 2020. This narrative has drawn national attention, but it has not translated to significant campaign contributions.
Author:
Evan Null
