Josh Turek, a 47-year-old former Paralympic gold medalist in basketball, has secured the Democratic nomination for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat, defeating state Sen. Zach Wahls. Turek's victory was projected by NBC News, and he will now face Rep. Ashley Hinson, the winner of the GOP primary, in the upcoming general election. In his campaign, Turek has highlighted the challenges faced by working-class families, drawing from his own experiences growing up in a working-class household. He stated, "Iowans feel like they’re pushing uphill, and I know exactly what that feels like," emphasizing his commitment to advocate for change in the Senate. Turek resides in Council Bluffs with his wife, Jarolin, who is an immigrant and now a U.S. citizen, and their children. His family background includes four siblings who also played collegiate or professional basketball, and he credits his mother for introducing him to adaptive sports. Turek's father, John, a Vietnam War veteran, faced health issues due to Agent Orange exposure, which adds a personal dimension to Turek's campaign narrative.