Iowa legislator criticizes Turek campaign ad on transgender issues

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — A recent campaign ad about transgender rights from Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek is getting backlash from a Statehouse colleague and others in the LGBTQ community.

Iowa Democratic State Representative Aime Wichtendahl said the ad is disappointing. Wichtendahl is the first transgender person elected to the state legislature and worked with Turek last session.

“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,” Wichtendahl said.

In the ad, Turek says he opposes allowing biological males to play girls’ sports and opposes federal funding for gender transition surgery.

“I’m against taxpayers paying for sex changes too. Anyone that tells you any different is lying,” Turek says in the ad.

Ad follows opponent’s claims

The ad follows claims from Turek’s Republican opponent, Ashley Hinson, who said Turek supports gender reassignment surgery for minors. Turek’s campaign says he opposes that.

In a statement Hinson’s campaign said, “Iowans don’t care about campaign rhetoric, they care about records and Josh Turek’s liberal record is clear...”

“Josh Turek is lying about his past votes and hoping he can fool Iowans, because his record is just too liberal,” they added.

Turek is one of many Democrats across the country that have addressed transgender atheletes in their campaign.

Democrat candidate Sarah Trone Garriott has also responded to criticism from her Republican opponent Zach Nunn on transgender issues.

Wichtendahl said Democratic candidates should focus on the cost of living instead of alienating people on transgender issues.

“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,” Wichtendahl said.

Wichtendahl said if Turek wins, she plans to hold him accountable.

“If he is elected, I will spend every single day holding his feet to the fire, reminding him that equality is not negotiable,” Wichtendahl said.

Wichtendahl said she has already voted early for Turek.

LGBTQ group condemns ad

LGBTQ nonprofit One Iowa Action said in a statement it “unequivocally condemns Josh Turek’s recently released campaign ad and the policy shift it represents.”

Statement from supporters

We reached out to Turek campaign for statement. The campaign did not respond to the Wichtendal’s comments but sent a quote from two supporters.

“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,” said Rep. Adam Zabner. 

“I voted on the first day of early in-person voting, but if I were filling out my ballot today, I would still vote for Josh Turek. While I disagree with his ad, I know I can talk to him and make my concerns heard. You can too. I can’t say the same for Ashley Hinson.I know what it feels like to support candidates, including President Obama, while still waiting for them to fully support my rights. I also know Josh voted against stripping gender identity from Iowa’s civil rights protections last year. That record matters, even as we ask him to do better.Meanwhile, the other side is pouring unprecedented amounts of money into this election, betting that keeping us divided will put Ashley Hinson in the Senate. None of that makes groceries cheaper, healthcare more affordable, or our schools stronger. I want an Iowa where our trans neighbors can live safely and with dignity, our families can afford healthcare, and our kids can see a future here. I’ll keep working for that Iowa and standing up for our community, as I always have.That’s what’s at stake in this election. Sending Ashley Hinson to the Senate means giving the people dividing us more power over the lives of the people I’m fighting for,” said Adam Peters.

The ad follows two other ads from Turek’s campaign a week before the election. The others focus on rising costs and healthcare.

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Isabella Warren covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email her at isabella.warren@kcrg.com; and follow her on Facebook at Isabella Warren TV on X/Twitter@isabellaw_gray, and on Instagram@IsabellaWarrenTV.

An earlier version posted did not include statements provided by Josh Turek’s campaign.