VoteVets Pumps $8.2 Million Into Joshua Turek as Iowa Democrats Split Over Senate Primary
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 13
VoteVets Pumps $8.2 Million Into Joshua Turek as Iowa Democrats Split Over Senate Primary
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 13
$8.2 million in VoteVets ad spending has upended Iowa’s Democratic Senate primary, turning little-known state Rep. Joshua Turek from a trailing candidate into the apparent front-runner ahead of the June 2 vote.
AdImpact says the group has spent or reserved $8.2 million since March, versus $943,000 from Turek’s campaign and $729,000 from rival Zach Wahls, with more ads planned through at least next week.
Wahls has accused Chuck Schumer and party insiders of trying to buy the primary, though he offered no evidence and both VoteVets and Schumer’s office denied any coordination barred under campaign finance law.
National Democrats view Turek — a Paralympic gold medalist from a Trump-won district — as more electable against likely Republican nominee Ashley Hinson in a race they think could become competitive.
The spending has also sparked backlash over VoteVets backing a non-veteran and using veteran-centered ads, making the Iowa contest a fresh proxy fight over establishment influence in Democratic primaries.
Can millions in outside spending manufacture a winning candidate, or does it undermine their long-term appeal?
How does a candidate's inherited war story resonate with voters compared to a traditional political record?