Barack Obama Endorses Josh Turek for Iowa Senate

Former President Barack Obama appeared in a campaign video with Iowa state representative Josh Turek, playing a game of basketball and publicly endorsing him for the open U.S. Senate seat in Iowa. Turek, a four‑time Paralympian and wheelchair‑basketball star, is campaigning to replace retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. In the video Obama praised Turek’s character and highlighted his own historic victories in Iowa, calling the state “the favorite thing” he ever did in politics.

Turek will face Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who has received an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The race is seen as a key contest for control of the Senate, with Democrats hoping to flip the seat that has been held by Republicans for more than a decade.