Turek sees the tightest race

Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek says his race against Republican Ashley Hinson may be the closest election on the entire U.S. Senate map. Prediction market Kalshi showed Turek up 52% to 48%.

“This may very well be the closest election on the entire U.S. Senate map.”

Iowa's open seat after Ernst

The Senate seat is left open by GOP Senator Joni Ernst's retirement. Iowa has moved right in recent years but could send a Democrat to the governor's office and flip House seats this year.

Turek pitches generational change

Turek, a state lawmaker, likens himself to former Senator Tom Harkin, calling him a common-sense prairie populist. He is pitching the race as an opportunity for generational change in Iowa.

Turek open to working with Trump

Turek told CBS News he would work with President Trump the same way he has in the Iowa legislature.

“I don't believe that any party has a monopoly on good ideas.”

Trump should see Iowa's pain

Turek said Trump's rally visit to Iowa was good because the president does not understand the challenges Iowans face. He cited healthcare cuts, cancer crisis, tariff damage and the Iran war hurting Iowa most.

“I think it was good to see what healthcare cuts are doing to a state with a healthcare and a cancer crisis.”

Turek's closing message on prices

On the airwaves, Turek's closing message centers on high gas and diesel prices, which he ties to his opponent. He argues Hinson has not done enough to fight Trump on tariffs and the Iran war.

Hinson pitches fighter image

Hinson has pitched herself as a fighter for Iowa, often speaking of being a minivan-driving mom ready to get things done.She pledged to be Trump's top ally early on but has tweaked that message recently.

Hinson calls for Iran war end

Hinson has called in recent weeks for the Iran war to come to an immediate and successful end to bring down energy prices, breaking with the president. She calls herself an Iowa common-sense conservative.

Turek lists Iowa's crises

Turek said Iowans are hurting more than almost any other state. He cited a contracting economy, healthcare and cancer crises, water quality problems, education system issues, farmer foreclosures, tariffs and high energy prices.

“Every single way it's going in the wrong direction.”

Turek's personal fight for Iowa

Turek, a former Paralympic wheelchair basketball player with spina bifida he attributes to his father's Agent Orange exposure, said he fights for Iowans like him who have faced economic and health struggles.

“I think when you've experienced that yourself firsthand, you'll have a different level of understanding, a different level of compassion, a different level of empathy, and a different level of fight.”