Former President Barack Obama threw his political weight behind Iowa state Representative Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate seeking a US Senate seat, endorsing him in a video that showcased both men competing while shooting baskets in an adapted format of horse. The endorsement puts Obama squarely in opposition to President Donald Trump, who has backed Republican US House representative Ashley Hinson for the same seat.
The Iowa Senate race opened up after Republican Senator Joni Ernst announced she would not seek re-election in 2026. Hinson, a US House Republican from Iowa, declared her Senate bid after Ernst made that announcement, and Trump endorsed her for the seat shortly afterward. Turek, a 4-time wheelchair basketball Paralympian and 2-time gold medalist, secured the Democratic nomination and will face Hinson in the general election.
Obama Makes His Case on the Court
The endorsement video leaned heavily on basketball imagery, with Obama and Turek trading shots and quips before the former president delivered his pitch to Iowa voters. Obama said, “Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa. Let’s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.” The playful exchange also featured Obama reminding viewers of his own track record in the Hawkeye State, noting that he knows “a little somethin’ about winning Iowa.” Obama won Iowa in both his 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. Obama pointed to Turek’s Paralympic success as proof of his determination and competitive spirit. Turek spoke at a primary night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 2, after securing his party’s nomination to face Hinson in November.
A Competitive Race for a Critical Seat
The Iowa Senate contest has quickly become one of the more closely watched races of the 2026 cycle. Hinson held a campaign event in Dubuque, Iowa, on June 1 — the day before Turek’s primary night rally — and has built her campaign around her alignment with Trump’s agenda. Her early entry into the race gave her a significant head start in fundraising and organizing, and Trump’s backing has only amplified her profile among Republican primary voters and the broader conservative base.
Democrats are targeting the seat as part of a broader effort to chip away at Republican margins in the Senate. Obama’s involvement signals the party views the race as genuinely competitive, even in a state that has trended increasingly Republican in recent cycles. Iowa was among the states that moved sharply toward the GOP in the years following Obama’s 2012 win there, making any Democratic bid for a statewide office a significant undertaking.
Conservative Critics Question Obama’s Record
Not everyone was impressed by the endorsement’s rollout. OutKick founder Clay Travis offered a sharp critique of Obama’s broader role in Democratic politics, taking aim at his declaration that he is transitioning from a “player to coach” within the party. Travis and host Sean Hannity discussed Obama’s endorsement history, pointing to his backing of Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris as evidence that his political touch has faded.
The broader debate over Obama’s political influence comes as he remains one of the most recognizable figures in the Democratic Party, even years removed from the White House. His endorsement of Turek follows the June 18 ceremony marking the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center at John Lewis Plaza in Chicago, Ill., an event that reinforced his continued prominence in Democratic circles and the national conversation more broadly.
What the Race Means for Both Parties
With Obama now formally in Turek’s corner and Trump firmly behind Hinson, the Iowa Senate race has taken on the contours of a proxy battle between two of the country’s most dominant political figures. For Democrats, a Turek victory in a state that has proven difficult for the party would represent a meaningful reversal of fortune. For Republicans, holding the seat would underscore their continued grip on Iowa and validate Trump’s endorsement strategy heading deeper into the 2026 election season. Both sides have significant stakes in the outcome, and the competitive dynamics of the race are expected to draw national attention and resources as the general election approaches.
