Full Breakdown
Josh Turek Campaign Ad Draws Transgender Rights Backlash
By Drooid · · How we work
Campaign Ad and Immediate Reaction
Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek released a television ad that opposes allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports and rejects federal funding for gender-transition surgery. In the spot, Turek states, “I’m against taxpayers paying for sex changes too. Anyone that tells you any different is lying.” The ad prompted sharp criticism from State Representative Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa’s first openly transgender legislator, who called the messaging “disappointing” and warned that such “talking points” do not win elections. Turek’s campaign did not provide a direct response to the criticism.
Background on the Iowa Transgender Policy Debate
The ad mirrors a broader partisan clash in Iowa over transgender rights. Turek’s Republican opponent, Ashley Hinson, previously claimed that Turek supports gender-reassignment surgery for minors—a charge Turek’s campaign denies. Similar ad battles have surfaced in other Democratic races, such as the contest involving Sarah Trone Garriott and Republican challenger Zach Nunn.
Official Statements & Responses
- One Iowa Action condemned the ad as a “policy shift” that undermines transgender equality.
- The Turek campaign declined to comment on Wichtendahl’s remarks but supplied supportive remarks from two campaign allies.
Supporter Perspectives
Democratic State Representative Adam Zabner praised Turek’s overall record, noting that Turek voted against stripping gender-identity protections from Iowa’s civil-rights statutes. He framed the ad as a tactical misstep rather than a reflection of Turek’s values. Adam Peters, another supporter, expressed willingness to continue voting for Turek while urging the candidate to improve his outreach to the transgender community.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You don’t need to throw people under the bus to win elections. The plain fact is that these talking points don’t win elections. These talking points aren’t going to gain you anything with the voters,” — State Representative Aime Wichtendahl
- “I’m against taxpayers paying for sex changes too. Anyone that tells you any different is lying,” — Josh Turek
- “You’re taking the eye off the ball and falling into their trap and it’s so obvious. You guys knew these attack ads were going to come out a year ago and yet you were utterly unprepared for it,” — State Representative Aime Wichtendahl
- “If he is elected, I will spend every single day holding his feet to the fire, reminding him that equality is not negotiable,” — State Representative Aime Wichtendahl
- “I have worked alongside Josh for years and saw firsthand how committed he is to ensuring the rights of all Iowans and fighting against discrimination. With Ashley Hinson, Iowans would get just another corrupt D.C. politician who would continue to cut health care and food assistance to give tax breaks to billionaires,” — Rep. Adam Zabner