Purple Power
A colorful change is happening to the Iowa landscape in 2026.
As we head into next week’s primary elections, Mother Nature is sending colorful signs about what’s to come in Iowa—a future that hearkens me back to a time when our legislators worked with each other to resolve public policy issues on behalf of the greater good.
When I moved to Iowa in my early 20s in the fall of 1999, there was a high-functioning, almost tranquil approach to politics that felt like it consistently moved the state forward on the issues of the day through discussion and compromise. Seasoned senators Charles Grassley (R) and Tom Harkin (D) represented both sides of the aisle with real political capital in DC, Democratic governors Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver served terms sandwiched between those of Republican stalwart Terry Branstad, and congressional representatives from our then 5 congressional seats (we lost a seat after the 2010 census due to relative declining population) were a fluid blend of red and blue. Current party registration numbers strongly indicate that we are generally the same community-minded people and thinkers, but our constitutional federal republic government has moved away from an accurate representation given the sea of red that floods Iowa from the Mississippi to Missouri rivers.
Civility and compromise reigned as elected officials were forced to work with each other to create meaningful legislation because that’s what the populace expected. We cared so deeply about public education we chose it to represent us on the back of the Iowa quarter in 2004, featuring a schoolhouse and the words “Foundation in Education.” Additionally, the entire world looked to our state’s astute adjudication skills as presidential hopefuls from all parties came here to enjoy the Iowa State Fair, ride RAGBRAI, eat delicious pie, kiss our babies and connect with real folks that care deeply about democracy in America and quality of life throughout our rural and urban landscapes.
Fast forward to 2026: I’m now in my 50s and it seems that the concept of elected officials working together is ancient history in contemporary politics. For example, the apolitical human health issue of rising cancer rates (Iowa continues to have the second-highest rate of cancer in the country and is one of a few states that has rising rates of cancer, according to an annual report by the Iowa Cancer Registry) saw very little traction in this last session. A last-minute funding bill for water treatment is hardly a drop in the bucket of what’s truly needed to reverse this alarming trend and we all know it. But, when one group has all the power, you can just take your bill and leave the court. You also don’t need to invite others over to play with you.
These days, State Auditor Rob Sand is the only Democrat to hold a statewide office; he’s actively campaigning to become the next governor as Kim Reynolds (R) steps down from the stranglehold she’s had on Terrace Hill for what seems like a decade and then some of single-party rule. Given the overall frustration felt by the majority of the populace, it isn’t that surprising that both Reynolds and sitting senator Joni Ernst (R) are choosing to step down and exit stage right for more relaxing lives than those of elected officials trying to answer the hard questions of an unhappy constituency.
You know who isn’t looking to take the exit door? Josh Turek. The hopeful Senate candidate is out there wheeling himself door-to-door, entering the homes of Iowans to better understand the issues, talking (and listening) to anyone and everyone that cares about the future of Iowa and America. He speaks openly about growing up struggling to make ends meet in Council Bluffs, how the system helped his family overcome his spina bifida—a result of his father’s exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and how his experiences living overseas as a competitive athlete broadened his perspective on government, especially when it comes to funding healthcare. He also talks about how falling in love with and marrying an immigrant gave him personal insights on our overly-cumbersome system, how Tom Harkin’s legacy ADA legislation created opportunities for him that would otherwise not exist, and how the Iowa economy needs to diversify and treat our waterways and ways of life with greater respect.
It only takes being around Josh for a few minutes to feel and benefit from his story and authenticity. I’m happy to have interacted with Representative Turek a few times now because of my song, “If It’s Turek, That’s Terrific!” that I released in April after reading a series of articles by Douglas Burns in The Iowa Mercury about Turek’s life story and his ascending Senate campaign. The more I read, the more impressed I was and I couldn’t stop thinking about the wordplay between “Turek” and “Terrific.” So, I wrote a song with six simple verses (one for each vote he won his first election by in Council Bluffs) in a classic “three chords and the truth” manner in the hopes of it benefiting Josh’s road to the Senate by encouraging people to hop on the Turek Train.
Within a day or so of releasing and publishing “If It’s Turek, That’s Terrific!”, I received a call from a 712 number that wasn’t accompanied with a “Potential Spam” warning, so I picked up. It was Josh. He wanted me to know he really enjoyed the song and appreciated my support. It wasn’t a long conversation, but he certainly didn’t cut me short in the chat. Since then, I have been invited to play the song at a couple of fundraisers in Des Moines for friends hosting meet and greets. At the first event, I waited around until the end to chat with Josh. I watched him engage with attendees asking him tough and pointed questions that evening. He was clearly educated on the issues and consistently provided thoughtful and nuanced responses. As I watched him, I was increasingly more impressed with his level-headedness, overall knowledge, and general enthusiasm.
I asked him, “What was it that made you decide to run for office?” His answer was twofold. First, he knew based on his personal experiences of living overseas and growing up with a disability, that he had the perspective and fortitude to improve life for others. Secondly, when he learned that no permanently disabled Iowan had ever been elected to statewide office, he knew the onus was on him to change that ridiculous statistic in a time when nearly 1 in 5 people are permanently disabled. As a result, he ran for Iowa's 20th House of Representatives district in his conservative hometown of Council Bluffs in western Iowa and won by six votes in 2022.
He improved his winning vote margin substantially in his 2024 re-election because his constituents clearly trust and believe in him. During his second term, he worked on agricultural legislation, co-sponsoring a bipartisan right-to-repair bill requiring ag equipment manufacturers to make parts, software, and repair tools available to farmers and independent mechanics at fair and reasonable cost. The bill passed the Iowa House in 2026. Josh is not just able to win elections—he can follow through and enact legislation as a response to articulated needs.
Given his ability to win an election in an extremely red district by literally pulling himself up the stairs into homes to meet with people face-to-face, I have faith Josh Turek can bring his message of “prairie populism” across our beautiful state, mobilizing many voters that are currently apathetic with American and Iowa politics this fall. Josh puts people over party and has me excited to see a purple majesty on the horizon again. On the other hand, the only purple the Zach Wahl’s campaign seems to be showcasing these days is that of sour grapes with their continued negative attacks of “Iowans Over Insiders” launched at Team Turek. Zach was the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for the US Senate race in the spring of 2025. He likely thought he’d go unchallenged, given his connections and over 15 years of being in the state’s political spotlight, but that’s not the way the ball is bouncing. Former Team USA Paralympian gold medalist Josh Turek is on the court, leading with a winner’s mentality and ready to usher in a new purple reign the state of Iowa so desperately needs.
Looking for my original essay and song about Josh Turek? You can find it here, "If It's Turek, That's Terrific!"
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Great article Chip. We'll be out of town for the election, but our ballots have already been mailed in for Josh.
I’m so happy I’m getting to know you, Chip! Thanks again for all the organizing you did for the spring IWC meeting in Storm Lake. I’m not good at event planning, but it’s evident that you know how to do it!
I’m sure your good vibes and your fun song are helping bring more visibility for terrific Turek.