Why It Matters
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren will campaign in Iowa this month for state Senator Zach Wahls in his Democratic primary race against state Representative Josh Turek. The June 2 primary has become a high-stakes proxy battle between progressive and establishment wings of the Democratic Party, with the winner facing Republican Representative Ashley Hinson in November’s general election for an open Senate seat.
The race reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party as it seeks to rebuild following losses in the White House and Congress. With diminished influence from past presidents and a competitive 2028 presidential primary expected, primary contests like Iowa’s carry outsized significance for the party’s direction.
What Happened
Warren announced Friday morning she will attend a Wahls rally in Des Moines on May 10. The announcement came one day after Maine Governor Janet Mills, an establishment-backed candidate, suspended her Senate primary campaign, effectively clearing the path for progressive-backed Graham Platner to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in November.
Wahls, a state senator, is running against Turek, a state representative perceived as favored by Democratic leaders in Washington. The winner will challenge Hinson for the seat being vacated by Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who decided not to seek a third term.
By The Numbers
Polling in the race has been limited and shows conflicting results. A Vote Vets Action Fund survey released in April showed Turek leading by 20 points. An earlier poll from a Teamsters local, which backs Wahls, found him ahead by 18 points.
A Democrat has not won a Senate seat in Iowa since Tom Harkin secured a fifth term in 2008, making the November general election a challenging prospect for either candidate.
Warren finished fourth in Iowa’s Democratic caucuses during her 2020 presidential campaign.
Zoom Out
The Iowa and Maine primaries are among several House and Senate contests nationwide serving as battlegrounds in the fight for the Democratic Party’s future direction. Progressive outsider candidates are challenging establishment-backed contenders in multiple states.
Warren, who had previously endorsed Wahls, framed his candidacy as a challenge to corporate influence in politics. Wahls welcomed the endorsement, stating Warren has spent her career standing up to corporate special interests.
What’s Next
Warren will campaign with Wahls on May 10 in Des Moines. The primary election is scheduled for June 2. The winner will face Hinson in November in what is expected to be a closely watched race that could influence Senate control.