Josh Turek, the Democratic senator-elect for Iowa’s vacant U.S. Senate seat, made a surprise stop at Luther College on Oct. 15, meeting students and Decorah residents at Preus Library less than three weeks before the 2026 midterm election.
The visit lasted about half an hour and was organized through Luther’s chapter of the College Democrats of America. Turek later defeated Ashley Hinson on Nov. 3 and is expected to take office in January alongside Iowa’s senior senator, Chuck Grassley.
A last-minute appearance at Preus Library
Although the public announcement came shortly before the event, the visit had been arranged as part of Turek’s campaign outreach to colleges and universities in northeast Iowa. Luther Democrats club leader Mansur Kasali said the group wanted students to hear directly from a major statewide candidate and ask questions during a closely contested election cycle.
“We were able to get Luther College included on the schedule as part of Turek’s broader outreach to colleges and universities in northeast Iowa,” Kasali said.
Witt Andresen, a member of the Luther Democrats, said he learned about the visit only a few days beforehand. “For the public, it was a bit of a surprise announcement,” he said.
The event drew what Andresen described as a strong turnout. “Lots of people showed up and asked [Turek] a lot of questions,” he said.
Kasali said he was pleased with both the attendance and the level of engagement. He described Turek as “personable, candid, and generous with his time” and said the candidate was willing to have substantive conversations with students.
Early voting station added to the setting
The appearance took place while an early-voting station was being set up in Luther’s Union building. Andresen said the nearby voting location may have helped bring people to the event and made the visit especially relevant for students deciding how to participate in the election.
“I think it’s definitely a factor in why this was so successful,” Andresen said. “I think a Senate candidate coming here would be successful anyways, but the fact that there was an entire voting booth just across the way was pretty helpful too.”
Kasali said the meeting gave students a direct opportunity to engage with a candidate whose campaign was focused on reaching younger Iowans. He said, “Young people have an important role to play in our democracy, and opportunities like this help make the political process more accessible.”
Turek focused on housing, health care and young Iowans
During the visit, Turek said young people across Iowa were concerned about whether they could afford to remain in the state, buy homes and obtain needed health care. He linked those concerns to what he called Iowa’s high rate of out-migration and the cost of housing.
“When I talk to young people in Iowa, they tell me the American Dream feels out of reach,” Turek said. “Iowa has one of the highest rates of out-migration in the country because we haven’t done enough to keep young people here.”
He also addressed housing costs, saying, “One of the top concerns I hear from young people is around the sky-high cost of housing. As a result, young people have given up on the dream of homeownership – a pillar of the American Dream.”
Health care was another issue Turek raised. “Young people do not want to live in a state where they can’t get access to the care they need,” he said. He added, “Iowa ranks dead last for nearly every health care metric – OBGYNs, hospital quality, mental health supports.”
Turek told the Luther audience that his message was centered on representing Iowa residents rather than wealthy donors and large corporations. “My promise to Iowans is that I will always fight for Iowa and Iowans, not billionaires and big corporations,” he said.
He also said he wanted to work across party lines and address what he views as economic corruption. “I know that neither party has a monopoly on good ideas, and I’ll work with anyone to deliver for Iowans,” Turek said. “I want to see the American Dream continue, but the only way for that to happen is to end the corruption that’s rigging the economy for those at the top, and that’s exactly what I’ll do in the U.S. Senate.”
Alongside the political discussion, Turek praised the area’s scenery and named Toppling Goliath Brewing Company as one of his favorite local stops. “The Driftless region of Decorah is one of the most beautiful places in Iowa, and Toppling Goliath Brewing Company is one of my favorite spots,” he said.
