IA · Officeholder
DState Representative · District 20
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. Senate · Iowa
Josh Turek is the Democratic nominee. A Council Bluffs native and four-time Paralympian on the U.S. national basketball team, he worked for a mobility-equipment company before winning a state House seat in 2022 by six votes. He is running for the open seat of retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R), emphasizing health care, public education and costs for middle-class families.[1][2][3][4]
Turek was born on April 12, 1979, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with spina bifida; his campaign website links the condition to his father's exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and says he had 21 surgeries by the age of 12.[3][4][5] He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs and played basketball at Southwest Minnesota State University, graduating in 2002 with a bachelor's degree, and he later earned an MBA from DeVry University.[3][4] Before seeking office he played wheelchair basketball professionally in Europe for nearly two decades and for the U.S. national team in four Paralympic Games, winning a bronze medal in 2012 and gold medals in 2016 and 2020, according to Wikipedia; his campaign website calls him a two-time Paralympic gold medalist and says his basketball career ended with a gold medal in Tokyo in 2021.[3][4][5]
While playing professionally, Turek began as volunteer director of the Ryan Martin Foundation, which gives disabled children opportunities to play sports for free; he also worked with patients and doctors at a wheelchair and mobility-assistance company, identified by Wikipedia as NuMotion, to provide mobility devices and complex rehabilitation technology, according to his campaign website.[4][5] He was inducted into the athletic halls of fame at Abraham Lincoln High School and Southwest Minnesota State University and into the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame.[4]
Turek won Iowa House District 20 in 2022, defeating Republican Sarah Abdouch by 3,403 votes to 3,397, a margin of six votes out of about 6,800 cast, after a recount requested by his opponent; according to Wikipedia, the district had voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968, and he took office on January 9, 2023, as the legislature's first permanently disabled member. He was re-elected in 2024 with 52.5% of the vote over James Wassell.[3][5] His campaign website says the seat had voted for Donald Trump twice before his first win.[4] Ballotpedia lists his 2025-2026 House committee assignments as Human Resources, Natural Resources, State Government and Veterans Affairs, plus the Health Policy Oversight Committee.[3] According to Wikipedia, he led bipartisan legislation, the "Work without Worry" program, removing Medicaid income limits for employed Iowans with disabilities.[3][5] He announced his U.S. Senate candidacy on August 12, 2025.[1][5] He won the June 2, 2026, Democratic primary for U.S. Senate over Zach Wahls, 62.6% to 37.3%.[1][3] Turek lives in Council Bluffs with his wife, Jarolin, who works in health care.[4]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
Directs the state to seek federal approval to limit food stamp (SNAP) purchases to healthy foods, and, once approved, provides $1 million in grants for the Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps SNAP recipients buy fruits and vegetables.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 56–40 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Mar 24, 2026: Replaces the premium tax on health maintenance organizations with a new health care-related tax, transfers about $347 million from the taxpayer relief fund to the general fund, and adds $89 million to Medicaid for the fiscal year ending June 2026.
Mar 19, 2026 · Passed 53–40 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Creates state grants of up to $100,000, matched dollar for dollar, for grocery stores whose owners have 10 or fewer stores, favoring the smallest communities, plus grants to expand processing of Iowa-grown fruits and vegetables, paid from a new fund.
Apr 24, 2025 · Failed 31–58 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Allows school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage unpaid chaplains, to support students without a state license; bars requiring students to use them or using a chaplain instead of a school counselor.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 57–39 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Establishing a center for intellectual freedom at the university of Iowa
Establishes a center for intellectual freedom at the University of Iowa to teach and research ideas shaping the American constitutional order, offer free speech and civil discourse programming, and offer an American history and civil government course.
Mar 18, 2025 · Passed 60–37 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Requires regents universities to set general education requirements totaling at most 37 credit hours, including western and American heritage, and bars those courses from distorting historical events or teaching identity politics or that systemic racism or privilege is inherent in U.S. or Iowa institutions.
Mar 18, 2025 · Passed 61–36 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Changes how criminal fines are divided, from 91% for the state court administrator and 9% for counties to 85% and 8%, sending the remaining 7% to a new victim restitution fund run by the Department of Justice.
Apr 23, 2025 · Failed 35–58 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Concerning the duties of county commissioners and county auditors
Raises from $1,000 to $50,000 the cost above which county election commissioners must take bids, allows informal bidding at or below that amount, and removes many county auditor duties and a bond-indexing requirement.
Mar 27, 2025 · Passed 61–32 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Bars regents universities from requiring students to take, or faculty to include or be trained in, diversity, equity, inclusion and critical race theory content as defined. Lets the regents exempt racial, ethnic and gender studies programs and the attorney general seek a court order.
Mar 18, 2025 · Passed 63–34 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Directs the state to seek federal approval to limit food stamp (SNAP) purchases to healthy foods, and, once approved, provides $1 million in grants for the Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps SNAP recipients buy fruits and vegetables.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 56–40 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Mar 24, 2026: Replaces the premium tax on health maintenance organizations with a new health care-related tax, transfers about $347 million from the taxpayer relief fund to the general fund, and adds $89 million to Medicaid for the fiscal year ending June 2026.
Mar 19, 2026 · Passed 53–40 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to require Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members to work at least 80 hours a month, with listed exemptions, and to align work rules across public assistance programs.
Mar 26, 2025 · Passed 61–35 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Creates Gadsden flag "Don't Tread on Me" license plates with a $50 issuance fee and $50 annual fee, sending proceeds to state grants for firearm safety and right-to-bear-arms education, and drops the requirement that plate frames leave the county name visible.
May 12, 2025 · Failed 31–58 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Prohibiting the use of a language other than English for driver’s license examinations
Bars the Department of Transportation and third-party testers from using any language other than English to examine driver's license applicants, and removes driver's license examinations from the exceptions to Iowa's English-only rule for official documents.
Feb 26, 2026 · Passed 58–30 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Mar 31, 2026: Creates a statewide urban design and specifications board, coordinated by the Department of Transportation and Iowa State University, to publish design and specifications manuals. Requires a report on added costs before a city council approves a street project that departs from state standards.
Mar 4, 2026 · Passed 61–36 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Sets fiscal 2026 budgets for the state agriculture and natural resources departments and related programs from the general fund and other state funds, including animal disease preparedness, water quality and state park upkeep, and keeps money from selling state park land for that park.
May 13, 2025 · Failed 29–62 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Bars civil and criminal liability for alleged climate effects of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural, petroleum or renewable fuel sources, unless a court finds by clear and convincing evidence the defendant violated an emission statute or permit.
Feb 26, 2026 · Passed 66–24 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Bars anyone from using eminent domain to acquire land for, build or operate a pipeline primarily for carrying carbon dioxide or other carbon oxides, effective immediately for condemnation cases filed on or after that date.
Jan 21, 2026 · Passed 64–28 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
As introduced, repeals the Iowa smart planning principles and the requirement that cities and counties consider them when developing or amending comprehensive plans and land development regulations.
Mar 4, 2026 · Passed 72–25 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Relating to business entity-owned residential arrangements, and including effective date provisions
Regulates housing communities where buyers purchase interests in a managing company rather than land: requires disclosure of that, lets owners transfer interests without company approval or fees, bars mandatory out-of-court dispute resolution, applies civil rights law, and makes violations consumer fraud.
Mar 4, 2026 · Passed 91–6 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units
Requires cities and counties to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit, up to 1,000 square feet or half the home's size, whichever is larger, on single-family lots, bars stricter rules on setbacks, parking, owner occupancy and design, and requires permit approval without discretionary review.
Apr 8, 2025 · Passed 89–7 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Lets members of Congress, statewide elected officials and state legislators ask county assessors and recorders to redact their names from public documents, and directs the secretary of state to recommend by November 1, 2026, how to protect candidates' home addresses.
Feb 26, 2026 · Failed 30–56 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 28, 2025: Changes the ban on flying drones over others' farms to cover flights, without the owner's consent, within 400 feet of farm animals, equipment or structures on farmsteads outside city limits with at least $15,000 in farm sales the prior year, and broadens what counts as drone surveillance.
Apr 8, 2025 · Passed 89–7 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 22, 2026: Extends the sales tax exemption on central office and transmission equipment bought by phone, cable, wireless and similar providers to equipment used to provide internet access, and drops the requirement that the equipment be used primarily for telecommunications.
Apr 21, 2025 · Passed 87–4 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program
On the version voted Apr 9, 2025: Caps National Guard service scholarships at the member's tuition minus federal military tuition aid received, and removes the rule that awards cannot depend on a member's unit, drill location or Army versus Air Guard branch.
Jan 30, 2025 · Failed 31–68 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Relating to the applicability of actions of certain international organizations
Declares that actions of the United Nations, its agencies and the World Economic Forum are not binding in Iowa, bars state and local governments from enforcing them, and requires the attorney general to seek court orders against violations.
May 12, 2025 · Passed 89–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Lets Iowa residents who are current or former members of the Iowa National Guard or an Iowa reserve unit, with satisfactory or honorable service, serve on county veteran affairs commissions; executive directors must still be veterans.
Apr 13, 2026 · Passed 89–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 16 of 185 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Rights & public safety (6), Jobs & cost of living (5), Health & care (3)
Relating to state finances by modifying the taxes imposed on health maintenance organizations, making transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, making and supplementing appropriations to the department of health and human services, and inc luding effective date, contingent effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions
What it does: On the version voted Mar 24, 2026: Replaces the premium tax on health maintenance organizations with a new health care-related tax, transfers about $347 million from the taxpayer relief fund to the general fund, and a…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 27–1, Republicans 0–63
Mar 19, 2026Official record ↗
Establishing a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees
What it does: Creates a pilot program letting community colleges whose main campus is at least 50 miles from a regents or private university offering the same degree offer up to three bachelor's degrees, in listed fields tied to un…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 8–20, Republicans 48–16
Mar 4, 2026Official record ↗
Relating to habitual offenders, and providing penalties
What it does: On the version voted May 2, 2026: Requires habitual offenders convicted of a third qualifying felony to serve at least seven years before parole, without earned-time reductions, caps their confinement at 20 years, bar…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 7–20, Republicans 61–3
Mar 4, 2026Official record ↗
Providing for the repair of a diesel exhaust fluid system that is part of farm equipment, and providing penalties
What it does: Requires farm equipment manufacturers to give owners and lessees the same diagnostic and repair information, parts and tools for diesel exhaust fluid systems that they give authorized repair providers; the attorney ge…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 3–23, Republicans 54–10
Mar 2, 2026Official record ↗
Relating to elections to fill vacancies in elective county and city offices
What it does: As introduced, lets voters force a special election for an appointed county or city office vacancy only if at least six months remain in the term, and puts an office on the next general election ballot when an officer…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 14–15, Republicans 59–1
Feb 23, 2026Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
With most of their party · Passed 56–40 · Yes 56–No 40 · Democrats 0–32, Republicans 56–8
Mar 26, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 35–58 · Yes 35–No 58 · Democrats 32–0, Republicans 3–58
Apr 23, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 57–39 · Yes 57–No 39 · Democrats 0–32, Republicans 57–7
Mar 26, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 53–40 · Yes 53–No 40 · Democrats 0–30, Republicans 53–10
Mar 19, 2026Official record ↗
Establishing a center for intellectual freedom at the university of Iowa
With most of their party · Passed 60–37 · Yes 60–No 37 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 60–4
Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 31–58 · Yes 31–No 58 · Democrats 31–0, Republicans 0–58
Apr 24, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 61–36 · Yes 61–No 36 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 61–3
Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 61–37 · Yes 61–No 37 · Democrats 0–33, Republicans 61–4
Mar 18, 2025Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: Shall the bill pass?
Lets the state award one business a tax credit of up to 10% of its investment, paid over ten years, for a major project in a county of 50,000 people or fewer, instead of up to 5% credits for two businesses; credits are refundable and transferable.
Motion: Shall the bill pass?
On the version voted May 3, 2026: Replaces most homeowners' homestead property tax credit with an exemption of 10% of taxable value, from $5,500 to $20,000, starting in 2026, limits county and city general levies and other rate-limited levies to 2% yearly growth, and creates FirstHome Iowa savings accounts.
Motion: Shall the bill pass?
On the version voted May 3, 2026: Makes wide-ranging changes to state law and budgets, including corrections to 2026 acts, limits on standing appropriations, an insurer tax credit for health care access, a civil litigation abuse lawsuit, required American history and government courses at state universities, and judicial salary changes.
Motion: Shall amendment H–8494, to amendment H–8491, be adopted?
Amends the bill to remove its division that changes the 2023 National Electrical Code for Iowa homes (such as dropping arc-fault interrupter requirements) and bars local electrical codes stricter than the national code. (AI-written)
On the version voted May 3, 2026: Makes wide-ranging changes to state law and budgets, including corrections to 2026 acts, limits on standing appropriations, an insurer tax credit for health care access, a civil litigation abuse lawsuit, required American history and government courses at state universities, and judicial salary changes.
Motion: Shall amendment H–8490 be adopted?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8488?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall amendment H–8487 be adopted?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8486?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8485?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Motion: Shall the rules be suspended to consider amendment H–8484?
On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Proposes a state constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-based tax; it goes to voters in November 2026.
Showing 10 of 531 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.
