Elizabeth Warren Heads to Iowa to Back Progressive Zach Wahls in High-Stakes Senate Primary

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will travel to Des Moines on May 10 to campaign for progressive state Sen. Zach Wahls, injecting a high-profile national voice into a closely watched Democratic primary in Iowa.

Wahls faces state Rep. Josh Turek in the June 2 primary. Many observers view Turek as the preferred choice of party leaders in Washington. The primary winner will move on to challenge Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson in a race that could be pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate.

"Zach Wahls is running to shake things up," Warren said in announcing her appearance. "He's taking on a corrupt system that's rigged against working families; a system where giant corporations, their lobbyists, and their super PACs funnel millions to candidates like Ashley Hinson, so those politicians let them jack up prices on groceries, prescription drugs, and the basics Iowans need to get by."

Warren had already endorsed Wahls before announcing the trip. Her visit follows Maine Gov. Janet Mills' decision to suspend her Democratic Senate campaign, a development that all but clears the path for progressive-backed candidate Graham Platner to become the Democratic nominee there. Platner is supported by Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other progressive leaders.

Why This Race Matters

The Iowa and Maine contests are among several primaries nationwide that have become proxy battles over the Democratic Party's direction — pitting insurgent progressives against established party figures. With Democrats out of power in the White House and Congress and a wide-open path anticipated for the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating fight, each primary carries outsized political significance for both wings of the party.

Polling And Caveats

Public polling in the Iowa Democratic primary remains sparse and the results vary by sponsor. A Vote Vets Action Fund poll released in April — from a group that supports Turek — showed him ahead by roughly 20 points. An earlier survey conducted for a Teamsters local indicated Wahls led by about 18 points. These privately commissioned polls may reflect their sponsors' constituencies and should be interpreted with caution until broader, publicly released surveys are available.

Wahls welcomed Warren's endorsement and visit, noting her record challenging corporate interests and arguing that such fights resonate with Iowa voters. Warren previously campaigned in Iowa during her 2020 presidential bid, when she finished fourth in the Democratic caucuses.

The Senate seat is open because Republican Sen. Joni Ernst opted not to seek a third term. No Democrat has won an Iowa U.S. Senate seat since Sen. Tom Harkin's re-election in 2008, underscoring the strategic importance of this contest for Democrats.

As the June 2 primary approaches, national attention and outside spending are likely to increase, making the outcome a bellwether for the balance of power and future direction within the Democratic Party.