Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek missed a state House vote on veterans affairs funding to attend a Des Moines event hosted by a nonprofit linked to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), according to legislative records and campaign events.
Turek, a state representative and wheelchair user due to spina bifida tied to his father's Agent Orange exposure, was at a "Veterans Happy Hour" hosted by VoteVets when the Iowa House approved an $13 million veterans funding bill 59-24. The vote occurred 11 minutes after the scheduled end of the April 1 event, which Turek promoted on social media as an opportunity to connect with veterans.
Turek's Ties to Schumer-Aligned Group Under Scrutiny
The nonprofit arm of VoteVets, which has received $31 million from Schumer's Senate Majority PAC since 2014, has spent nearly $9 million supporting Turek's campaign. This includes a $5,000 direct contribution and a statewide ad campaign that polling shows helped Turek build a 20-point lead over primary rival Zach Wahls, a state senator endorsed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.).
Wahls has criticized Schumer's influence in the race, accusing the minority leader of attempting to "buy" the primary through groups like VoteVets. "We need to win back trust in rural and blue-collar voters Chuck Schumer wrote off," Wahls said Thursday. "Running his playbook again will lose Iowa."
Defensive Stance on Dark Money
Turek has sought to distance himself from the group, calling it a "super PAC that has decided to support me" while claiming his campaign cannot directly coordinate with it. However, the event he attended featured VoteVets staffers including national organizer Tristeza Ordex and veterans outreach organizer Isabella Camacho.
A Turek spokesperson blamed the missed vote on scheduling changes, noting 17 representatives missed the rushed floor action. The campaign also contrasted Turek's veterans advocacy with Rep. Ashley Hinson (R., Iowa), the likely GOP nominee, whom they accused of supporting VA cuts.
Even if Turek wins the June 2 primary, he faces an uphill battle in deep-red Iowa, where Donald Trump won by 13 points in 2024. The seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) has been held by Republicans since 2015.