FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 01, 2026
September 01, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Iowa’s Josh Turek for Election to U.S. Senate
Categories:
Senate, Congress, Election 2026
AFGE says Turek has a proven track record of fighting for union members
EAGAN, Minn. –– The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of Josh Turek for election to the U.S. Senate representing Iowa in the 2026 elections. The general election is Nov. 3.
An Iowa native, Turek was born with spina bifida and has used a wheelchair since childhood. He was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2022 – becoming the state’s first permanently disabled legislator – and was reelected in 2024.
“Josh Turek has a proven record of fighting for working people and for their collective bargaining rights,” AFGE District 8 National Vice President Ruark Hotopp said. “Josh will advocate for federal employees, protect their jobs and workplace rights, and fight to restore the critical services they provide across Iowa and the country. As the son of a Vietnam veteran whose exposure to Agent Orange impacted Josh’s own life, he also knows firsthand the quality of care our members provide at the VA.”
AFGE previously endorsed three Iowans for election to the U.S. House of Representatives this November: Christina Bohannan, 1st District; Lindsay James, 2nd District; and Sarah Trone Garriott, 3rd District.
Nearly 22,000 federal employees live in Iowa – caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE District 8 represents more than 19,000 workers in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
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