Pete Buttigieg has endorsed state Rep. Josh Turek in Iowa’s competitive Democratic Senate primary, signaling a willingness to weigh in on contested primaries as he contemplates future national bids. The endorsement follows a campaign visit from Elizabeth Warren in support of Turek’s opponent, Zach Wahls. Buttigieg noted that Turek’s grassroots, retail organizing mirrors the 2020 caucus strategy that helped him win Iowa, and several notable Democrats — including Senators Duckworth, Cortez Masto and Hassan, plus former Sen. Tom Harkin — have also backed Turek. Iowa’s place on the Democratic nominating calendar remains uncertain after the 2024 caucus problems.
Buttigieg Endorses Josh Turek in High-Stakes Iowa Senate Primary
Pete Buttigieg has formally endorsed state Representative Josh Turek in a competitive Democratic Senate primary in Iowa — the state that propelled Buttigieg to national prominence after he won the Iowa Democratic caucuses in 2020.
The endorsement signals Buttigieg’s willingness to intervene in contested primaries as he continues to weigh another potential presidential run. It comes shortly after Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 rival of Buttigieg’s, campaigned in Iowa this week for Turek’s opponent, state Senator Zach Wahls.
“We made history in Iowa in 2020 because our campaign went everywhere... Josh Turek has taken that same proven approach to his campaign, and that’s why I know he will be successful. I believe Iowa can make history again in 2026 by sending Josh to the U.S. Senate.” — Pete Buttigieg
Buttigieg’s intervention marks a change from his public comments in March, when he told POLITICO he did not plan to wade into sharply contested primaries in Michigan or Iowa. Backing Turek could increase the state representative’s visibility and help Buttigieg cultivate a potential ally should he pursue higher office in the future, but the move also risks alienating Wahls’s supporters in a closely fought contest.
The endorsement underscores the overlap between Turek’s operation and members of Buttigieg’s 2020 team: former national press secretary Chris Meagher is advising Turek, while former senior adviser Lis Smith and former aide Matt Corridoni are advisers to The Bench, a newer political group that has been taking sides in Democratic primaries.
It remains uncertain how prominent a role Iowa will play on the next Democratic nominating calendar. A chaotic caucus-night vote count and a malfunctioning reporting app contributed to Iowa’s demotion from the front of the 2024 primary schedule. Iowa Democrats are trying to regain a spot among the first four states; party officials are expected to decide the nominating order later this year.
Alongside Buttigieg, Turek has drawn endorsements from Senators Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), and Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire), as well as former Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the last Democrat to hold the state’s U.S. Senate seat.
“I am deeply honored to have Pete’s support in this race,” Turek said. “His unique ability to connect with Iowans who feel forgotten and left behind is exactly why he won the caucuses in 2020, and it’s that same approach that will help us win Senator Harkin’s seat back.”
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