Iowa Democratic Senate Hopeful Josh Turek Skips Vote Aimed at Treating Cancer-Causing Water for Schumer-Aligned Group’s Event
Washington Free Beacon
Ethan Barton
September 30, 2026
Iowa Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek skipped a vote on legislation funding treatments for drinking water—which has been tied to the Hawkeye State’s soaring cancer rates—to attend a happy hour hosted by the nonprofit arm of VoteVets, a left-wing group whose super PAC has spent millions on his campaign and is aligned with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.).
Turek, a state representative, was rubbing elbows at a May 1 “Veterans Happy Hour” hosted in Des Moines by VoteVets when the Iowa House of Representatives voted 65-21 on an appropriations bill that state officials project will provide nearly $320 million in water quality investments over 12 years. The vote was held 14 minutes after the event was scheduled to begin.
He skipped a second vote on the final passage the next day when the House concurred with a Senate amendment.
The missed votes raise questions about the promise Turek made on his campaign website to “address Iowa’s unique cancer crisis and the water quality crisis that’s driving it.” Part of his solution involves “funding water quality sensors,” yet the May legislation included roughly $3.5 million for statewide water quality monitoring.
A March report by the Iowa Environmental Council and Drake University’s Harkin Institute found that several types of cancer are associated with the high levels of nitrate in drinking water in Iowa, which has the second-highest rate of new diagnoses in the country. The problem is top of mind for voters: A July poll found that 60 percent considered water quality and the environment among their five most important issues.
Turek touted the event a week before the vote.
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VoteVets has thrown significant support behind Turek, who is not a veteran, providing an endorsement, nearly $9 million in outside spending and a $10,000 contribution to his campaign, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
The dark money group has long fallen in line with Schumer, raking in more than $30 million from his Senate Majority PAC since 2014 while consistently backing his preferred candidates.
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Zach Wahls, Turek’s primary opponent, accused Schumer and establishment Democrats of trying “to buy” and quietly shape the outcome of the June 2 primary through VoteVets. He ultimately lost by a whopping 25 points.
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