Joshua Turek Biography
Joshua Turek is an American politician, Paralympic wheelchair basketball player, and 2026 U.S. Senate candidate from Iowa. He currently serves in the Iowa House of Representatives and gained national attention through sports and public service.
Turek was born on April 12, 1979, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Doctors diagnosed him with spina bifida during infancy, and he started using a wheelchair as a child. Despite those challenges, he remained active and focused on athletics and education.
He attended Abraham Lincoln High School before studying at Southwest Minnesota State University. Later, he earned an MBA from DeVry University. During college, he built a successful wheelchair basketball career and developed leadership skills.
Turek represented the United States in four Paralympic Games. Additionally, he helped Team USA win bronze in 2012 and gold medals in 2016 and 2020. His accomplishments made him one of America’s recognized wheelchair basketball athletes.
In 2022, Turek entered politics and won a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives by six votes after a recount. Notably, he became Iowa’s first permanently disabled legislator. He supports healthcare access, disability rights, affordable living costs, and public education.
In 2025, Turek launched his campaign for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Iowa. His campaign focuses on economic growth, healthcare affordability, and support for working families. Furthermore, former Senator Tom Harkin endorsed his Senate bid in 2026.
Joshua Turek continues to inspire many people through sports, advocacy, and politics. His journey reflects determination, leadership, and public service.
Joshua Turek Age
How old is Joshua Turek?
Joshua Turek is 47 years old as of 2026. He was born on April 12, 1979, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Additionally, Turek gained recognition as a Paralymic wheelchair basketball star before entering politics. He currently serves in the Iowa House of Representatives and runs for the 2026 U.S. Senate election. Furthermore, his leadership experience and athletic achievements continue shaping his growing political career in Iowa.
Joshua Turek Height
How tall is Joshua Turek?
Joshua stands 5 feet 11 inches tall. The Paralymic wheelchair basketball star used his athletic ability to build a successful international career. Additionally, his height and strength helped him compete at the highest level for Team USA. Turek won multiple Paralympic medals before entering politics. The Iowa lawmaker continues gaining attention through his advocacy work and 2026 U.S. Senate campaign.
Joshua Turek Wife
Is Joshua Turek married?
Joshua Turek is married to Jarolin Turek, and they share a strong family bond. The couple welcomed a son, which strengthened their family life. Additionally, Jarolin supports Turek through his political career and public service commitments. She maintains a private life while focusing on family responsibilities and personal support roles. Furthermore, the couple balances parenting with Turek’s duties as an Iowa State Representative and 2026 Senate candidate. Together they continue building a stable family life centered on love, resilience, and shared commitment to public service and community values.
Joshua Turek Children
Joshua Turek has one son with his wife, Jarolin Turek. The couple welcomed their baby boy as part of their growing family. Additionally, Turek balances fatherhood with his responsibilities as an Iowa State Representative and Senate candidate. He often highlights family values in his public service work. Furthermore, his experience as a parent strengthens his advocacy for healthcare and children’s welfare. Turek supports policies that improve opportunities for children across Iowa. He continues focusing on raising his son while serving his community and promoting strong family-centered policies in public life.
Joshua Turek Education & Academic Background
Joshua Turek attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Later, he studied at Southwest Minnesota State University, where he developed his leadership and basketball skills. Additionally, Turek earned a Master of Business Administration degree from DeVry University. His education helped strengthen both his athletic and professional career. During college, Turek balanced academics with competitive wheelchair basketball. Furthermore, his educational background prepared him for public service and political leadership. Joshua uses his experience in education, sports, and business to support Iowa communities and working families.
Joshua Turek’s Siblings & Family
John Turek is the brother of Iowa politician and Paralymian Joshua Turek. He played college basketball and helped inspire Joshua’s passion for the sport. Additionally, John attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he built a strong basketball career. Growing up in Iowa, the Turek siblings shared a competitive and supportive family environment. Furthermore, John’s athletic background motivated Joshua during his wheelchair basketball journey. Their close family connection helped shape Joshua’s determination and leadership skills.
Joshua Turek Political Party
Joshua Turek is a member of the Democratic Party. He represents Iowa House District 20 in the Iowa House of Representatives. Additionally, Turek gained political attention after winning his 2022 election by a narrow margin. His campaign platform focuses on healthcare access, disability rights, education, and affordable living costs. Furthermore, he supports policies that benefit working families and strengthen Iowa communities. In 2025, Turek announced his campaign for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Iowa.
Joshua Turek Sports Career: Paralympic Gold Medalist and Basketball Star
Joshua Turek built a successful sports career as a wheelchair basketball player for Team USA. He started playing basketball at a young age after being diagnosed with spina bifida. Additionally, he competed at Southwest Minnesota State University before joining the national team.Turek represented the United States in four Paralympic Games. He helped Team USA win a bronze medal in London in 2012.
Furthermore, he earned gold medals at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. His leadership and strong defensive skills made him a respected player internationally. Besides Paralymic success, Turek also played professionally in Europe. Turek remains known for his athletic achievements, leadership, and advocacy for disability sports and inclusion.
Joshua Turek Policies | Key Issues
Joshua supports policies focused on healthcare, education, disability rights, and economic growth. He advocates for affordable healthcare access and stronger support for working families across Iowa. Additionally, Turek supports protecting public education and expanding opportunities for students and teachers. He also promotes disability inclusion and accessibility improvements in public services. Furthermore, Turek encourages job creation and lower living costs for middle-class families. During his 2026 Senate campaign, he emphasized bipartisan cooperation and community development.
Joshua Turek Senate Race: Inside His 2026 Iowa Campaign
Joshua Turek launched his 2026 U.S. Senate campaign in Iowa as a Democratic candidate. He entered the race after building statewide recognition in the Iowa House of Representatives. Additionally, Turek focuses his campaign on healthcare affordability, disability rights, education, and economic growth. He also promotes bipartisan cooperation and stronger support for working families across Iowa.
Furthermore, former Democratic Senator Tom Harkin publicly endorsed Turek’s Senate campaign. That endorsement increased attention around his statewide political profile. Turek’s campaign highlights his experience as a Paralympic gold medalist and public servant. Joshua Turek continues expanding his Senate campaign while positioning himself as a rising Democratic leader in Iowa politics.
Zach Wahls vs Josh Turek Comparison
| Attribute | Zach Wahls | Josh Turek |
|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Democratic Party | Democratic Party |
| Current Position | Iowa State Senator | Iowa State Representative |
| District Base | Urban/suburban eastern Iowa | Council Bluffs, western Iowa |
| Political Style | Progressive, anti-establishment | Moderate, pragmatic “prairie populist” |
| Key Focus Areas | Economy, campaign finance reform, social justice | Healthcare, affordability, disability rights |
| Electoral Strength | Strong urban base, fundraising support | Strong rural appeal, tight election wins |
| Background | LGBTQ+ advocate, political family background | Paralympic gold medalist, wheelchair basketball player |
| Campaign Strength | Policy-driven, progressive messaging | Electability focus, crossover appeal |
| 2026 Senate Race Role | Democratic primary candidate | Democratic primary candidate |
| Public Image | Progressive reformer | Inspirational athlete-turned-politician |
Joshua Turek Polls
Joshua Turek continues gaining attention in the 2026 Iowa Senate race as new polls show a competitive Democratic primary. Recent surveys placed Turek ahead of rival Zach Wahls in several statewide polls. A VoteVets-backed poll showed Turek leading by 20 points, while other polling averages showed a much tighter race. The Iowa Senate polls continue shifting as outside groups increase spending and endorsements. Turek has focused his campaign on electability, rural outreach, and working-class issues.
Additionally, former Senator Tom Harkin endorsed him, boosting his statewide profile. National Democrats also view Iowa as increasingly competitive in 2026. However, analysts still consider the general election challenging for Democrats because Iowa remains Republican-leaning. Even so, Joshua Turek’s poll numbers continue improving as the primary race gains national attention.
Joshua Turek Disability
What is Joshua Turek‘s Disability?
Joshua Turek lives with spina bifida, a condition affecting spinal development from birth. He uses a wheelchair for mobility throughout his life. Additionally, he never allowed his disability to limit his ambitions or achievements. Turek turned his challenges into strength through wheelchair basketball at an early age. Furthermore, he represented Team USA in multiple Paralympic Games and won gold medals. His disability also inspired his advocacy for accessibility and healthcare reform. In politics, Joshua Turek promotes disability rights and inclusive policies across Iowa. He continues to inspire many people through resilience, leadership, and public service.
Joshua Turek Salary
Joshua Turek earns about $25,000 yearly as an Iowa state representative. However, he also earns income through nonprofit leadership and public speaking roles. Turek previously built a successful career as a Paralympic wheelchair basketball athlete and advocate. Additionally, his growing profile in the 2026 Iowa Senate race has increased public interest in his finances and career. Her salary remains modest compared to many national political figures.
Joshua Turek Net Worth
Joshua Turek has an estimated net worth between $100,000 and $500,000. Additionally, he earns income as an Iowa state representative and disability advocate. Earlier, Turek built earnings through his Paralympic wheelchair basketball career and related endorsements. Furthermore, his participation in the 2026 Iowa Senate race increases public interest in his finances. Joshua Turek’s net worth reflects steady income from sports, public service, and advocacy work.
