Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek skipped a vote on legislation funding veteran services to attend a happy hour hosted by VoteVets, a left-wing super PAC that has spent millions on his campaign and is aligned with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.).
Turek, a state representative, was busy at a "Veterans Happy Hour" hosted in Des Moines by VoteVets when the Iowa House of Representatives voted 59-24 on an appropriations bill that allocated nearly $13 million to the state Department of Veterans Affairs and included funding for veteran nursing homes and housing assistance. The vote was held 11 minutes after the scheduled end of the event, which he touted a week earlier.
"I come from a long line of veterans, and I rely on the VA for health care related to my disability. I’m teaming up with @VoteVets to host a Veterans Happy Hour in Des Moines next week," Turek posted to X on April 26. The Democrat is wheelchair-bound due to spina bifida, which he attributes to his father’s exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
I come from a long line of veterans, and I rely on the VA for health care related to my disability. I’m teaming up with @VoteVets to host a Veterans Happy Hour in Des Moines next week. Join us!
🗓 Friday, May 1
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Des Moines, IA (location provided upon RSVP)… pic.twitter.com/Roc2bp3s95— Josh Turek (@turek4iowa) April 26, 2026
A Turek spokesperson blamed the missed vote on the bill being rescheduled several times before eventually getting rushed to floor.
"Josh Turek is, always has been, and will continue to be a staunch advocate for our nation’s veterans, unlike Ashley Hinson, who has defended devastating cuts to the VA. This particular vote was rescheduled four times, was on the calendar to be voted on the following day, and was instead brought to the floor in such a rush that 17 Representatives—both Democrats and Republicans—missed the vote, just as Zach Wahls did the following day," the spokesperson said.
Although Turek is not a veteran, VoteVets has thrown significant support into his campaign, including an endorsement, a $5,000 contribution to his campaign, and nearly $9 million in outside spending, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
The dark money group’s support for Turek is just one example of VoteVets falling in line with Schumer. The group, which has raked in some $31 million from Schumer’s Senate Majority PAC since 2014, has consistently backed his preferred candidates.
VoteVets bills itself as "elevat[ing] the voices of Veterans and military families," but did not weigh in on Maine’s Senate primary. One Democrat, Graham Platner, routinely discusses benefits he receives as a veteran. His opponent, Gov. Janet Mills (D.), was endorsed by Schumer—she withdrew from the contest last month.
Turek, meanwhile, said he wanted "to see all dark money groups get out of politics" while attempting to distance himself from VoteVets following an April 8 forum. He called the group a "super PAC that has decided to support me" and added that his campaign is "not allowed to engage … directly" with it.
The May 1 happy hour featured several VoteVets staffers, including national organizer for partnerships and engagement Tristeza Ordex and veterans outreach organizer Isabella Camacho.
VoteVets also commissioned a poll that showed Turek, who was recently endorsed by former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, leading his primary rival Zach Wahls by 20 points after the group launched a statewide advertising campaign.
Wahls, a state senator who was endorsed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), has accused Schumer and establishment Democrats of trying "to buy" and quietly shape the outcome of the June 2 primary through VoteVets.
"We need to win back the trust of rural and blue-collar voters who were written off and lost by Chuck Schumer," Wahls said Thursday. "We have a choice: Run the same playbook that Chuck Schumer ran and lose, or fight for the voters that he wrote off and win them back."
Even if Turek were to defeat Wahls, he'll still need to win over deep red Iowa, which President Donald Trump carried by more than 13 points just 2 years ago. It’s had two Republican senators since 2015 and a GOP governor since 2011.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Rep. Ashley Hinson (R., Iowa) for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa).
Turek and VoteVets did not respond to requests for comment.
