An Iowa Senate candidate is facing renewed scrutiny over his Legislative Attendance record. State records show he missed hundreds of legislative votes while collecting taxpayer-funded per diem payments and campaigning for higher office.
Josh Turek is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, Iowa state legislator, and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. He received more than $20,000 in tax-free per diem payments during the 2026 legislative session. State records show he accepted $20,100 while missing 261 votes between Jan. 12 and May 3. Those absences accounted for nearly 60% of all chamber votes during that period.
The voting record coincided with Turek’s campaign to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. Several missed votes occurred while he attended fundraising events outside Iowa. The pattern raised questions about balancing legislative duties with a statewide Senate campaign.
Throughout his campaign, Turek has highlighted his personal story of overcoming paralysis from the waist down. He later became a member of the U.S. Paralympic basketball team. He won Paralympic gold medals in 2016 and 2020. He has also pledged to protect government programs that supported his education, healthcare access, and athletic development.
In campaign messaging, Turek credited Veterans Affairs health coverage through his father’s military service. He also highlighted free summer lunch programs and his local Area Education Agency. He said those programs helped create opportunities throughout his life.
Federal campaign finance records show Turek raised approximately $3.4 million between July 2025 and the end of May 2026. That total is lower than some recent Senate campaigns for competitive open seats. Former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has raised nearly $26 million since last November while seeking to return to the Senate.
Iowa law allows legislators to receive a tax-free per diem of $201 for up to 100 days each session. According to the Iowa House Chief Clerk, Turek collected the maximum allowable amount.
Records indicate Turek missed 12 votes between March 25 and March 31. During that period, he raised about $43,000 from donors in Southern California. Campaign expenditures for Los Angeles hotels suggest campaign activities took place there. Among the missed votes was legislation concerning rural healthcare and medical licensing.
Additional records show Turek raised roughly $36,500 from donors in Washington, D.C., between Feb. 17 and March 23. During that period, he missed 16 legislative votes. Those absences included consideration of an education standards bill. Campaign finance filings also reported a $250 payment for an event venue rental at 800 Maine Avenue in Washington. At another point during March, Turek missed 30 consecutive votes.
The Legislative Attendance issue prompted a response from Turek’s campaign. A spokesperson said candidates from both major parties sometimes miss votes while fundraising. The campaign also pointed to Republican congressional candidate Ashley Hinson. It said she missed part of the fiscal year 2027 defense funding markup to attend a Washington fundraiser. The spokesperson also described Turek as one of Iowa’s most bipartisan and effective lawmakers. The campaign cited his work with Republicans on tax reductions and public safety legislation.
Hinson’s campaign highlighted her 98.8% lifetime voting record since entering Congress in 2020. Campaign representatives also criticized Turek’s absences. They cited missed votes involving veterans’ services, the Iowa Farm Bill, rural healthcare funding, child abuse investigations, and legislation concerning gender transition procedures for minors.
Earlier this month, Turek defeated Democratic state Sen. Zach Wahls in the party’s primary election. The Legislative Attendance debate is expected to remain part of the campaign. Turek is scheduled to face Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s Nov. 3 general election.
