Josh Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, Iowa state representative, and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, missed more than 260 votes in the state legislature while collecting over $20,000 in taxpayer-funded per diem payments, according to records obtained by Fox News Digital. The absences, which occurred between January and early May of this year, represent nearly 60 percent of the votes cast during that period, raising concerns about his ability to balance legislative responsibilities with a demanding campaign schedule.
Turek, who won gold medals in wheelchair basketball at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, has framed his Senate bid as an underdog story, emphasizing the role of government programs in his success. He has pledged to defend programs such as VA health coverage, free summer lunch programs, and local education agencies that he credits with helping him overcome being born paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this compelling narrative, Turek has struggled to raise campaign funds, accumulating $3.4 million since July 2025, a relatively modest sum for a competitive Senate race. By comparison, former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown has raised nearly $26 million since November for his own campaign.
Records show that Turek missed critical votes to attend fundraising events across the country, including a series of 12 votes while raising $43,000 from donors in Southern California between March 25 and March 31. Campaign finance filings indicate that his campaign paid for hotel stays in Los Angeles during that period, suggesting he was physically present in the area. Among the votes he missed was one on a rural health and medical licensing bill, a measure directly relevant to Iowans. In another instance, Turek raised $36,500 from donors in Washington, D.C., between February 17 and March 23, while missing 16 votes, including consideration of an educational standards bill. Campaign records show an event venue rental payment at an address in the nation’s capital during that time.
At one point in March, Turek missed 30 consecutive votes, a pattern that his campaign acknowledged but defended by pointing to similar behavior by other candidates. A spokesperson for Turek noted that his Republican opponent, Representative Ashley Hinson, also missed votes to attend fundraisers, including a recent absence during a markup of the annual defense funding bill. The spokesperson emphasized that Turek is ranked as one of Iowa’s most bipartisan and effective lawmakers, having worked with Republicans to cut taxes and address public safety issues. Hinson’s campaign responded by highlighting her 98.8 percent lifetime voting record in the House of Representatives and criticizing Turek’s absences on key legislation, including votes on funding for the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, the Iowa Farm Bill, rural health funding, child abuse investigations, and a 2023 bill on gender transition procedures for minors.
Turek’s per diem payments, which totaled $20,100 according to the Chief Clerk of the Iowa House of Representatives, are tax-free daily allowances intended to cover the costs of legislative service. Iowa law allows legislators to collect the per diem up to 100 times per session. Turek maxed out that allowance during the period in question, even as he missed more than half of the votes. The payments are funded by Iowa taxpayers, adding a layer of controversy to his campaign as he seeks to unseat retiring Senator Joni Ernst in a state that has trended Republican in recent years.
Turek won the Democratic primary earlier this month, defeating state Senator Zach Wahls. He now faces Hinson in the general election scheduled for November 3. The race is seen as an uphill battle for Democrats, given Iowa’s recent electoral history and the significant fundraising disparity between the two candidates. Hinson, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has a strong voting record and has criticized Turek as an absentee legislator unworthy of a promotion to the Senate. Turek’s campaign, meanwhile, continues to emphasize his personal story and bipartisan achievements, arguing that his absences are a necessary part of a competitive campaign against a well-funded opponent.
The controversy over Turek’s missed votes and per diem payments highlights broader questions about the balance between legislative duties and campaign obligations, a challenge faced by many candidates in competitive races. As the general election approaches, both campaigns are likely to continue trading accusations over voting records and commitment to public service, with Turek’s absences providing a central point of attack for Hinson and her allies.