Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced his endorsement of state Representative Josh Turek in the Iowa Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. The decision places Buttigieg in opposition to state Senator Zach Wahls, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination. The move marks a change in strategy for Buttigieg, who stated in March that he did not plan to endorse candidates in contested primaries in Iowa or Michigan.
The endorsement follows a recent visit to Iowa by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a former 2020 presidential primary rival of Buttigieg, who campaigned for Wahls. In a statement, Buttigieg cited his own 2020 Iowa caucus victory, noting that his campaign reached voters in both rural areas and cities. He said Turek has adopted a similar approach to reach Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. Turek, in response, said he was honored by the support and intends to use that approach to win back the seat once held by former Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).
Several other prominent Democrats have also announced their support for Turek, including Senator Tom Harkin and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). Turek’s campaign includes several former Buttigieg aides, including former national press secretary Chris Meagher as an adviser. Additionally, former Buttigieg senior adviser Lis Smith and former aide Matt Corridoni are advisers to The Bench, a political group that has been active in Democratic primaries.
For the candidates, the scale of support involves significant national infrastructure. Turek now has the backing of four sitting or former U.S. Senators and a former Cabinet official, while Wahls has the public support of a high-profile Senator from Massachusetts. This level of involvement could influence fundraising totals and volunteer recruitment within the state. The choice made by Iowa Democrats will determine the party's standard-bearer in a state where Democrats are currently seeking to regain a Senate presence.
The outcome of this primary and the subsequent general election will also affect Iowa's standing in future presidential nominating contests. The Democratic National Committee previously removed Iowa from its early primary position following reporting issues during the 2020 caucuses. Iowa Democrats are currently working to be included in the first four nominating states for 2028, a decision expected from party leadership later this year. The performance and unity of the party in the 2026 Senate race may serve as a data point for national leaders weighing the state's future role in the primary calendar.
What happens next: The Democratic National Committee is expected to decide on the 2028 presidential nominating order later this year. The exact date of the Iowa Senate primary was not reported. Furthermore, the source did not specify when or if Buttigieg would participate in in-person campaign events for Turek following this endorsement.