Joshua Turek

Joshua Mark Turek

Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Turek played wheelchair basketball for Southwest Minnesota State University and professionally in Europe, and competed with the United States men's national wheelchair basketball team, winning gold medals at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Turek is a self-described "prairie populist" and a moderate Democrat. Turek was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2022, and reelected in 2024, in a district that strongly supported Donald Trump. During his tenure, he has focused on disability policy, health care, and agricultural issues.

Early life and education Turek was born on April 12, 1979, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His father, John Turek, served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and was a vocational school administrator. His mother, Luellen, was a social worker and community college instructor. He grew up with three sisters and a brother.

Born with spina bifida, Turek underwent multiple surgeries as a child to improve mobility and has used a wheelchair since childhood.

Turek is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. He was a four-time National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) All-American and was inducted into the NWBA's Hall of Fame in 2023.

After graduating, Turek began playing professionally in Europe. He played for clubs in Italy, France, and Spain for nearly two decades, including Bidaideak Bilbao BS in Spain's top wheelchair basketball league. He led Bilbao in scoring and was named to the league's All-Star Five while playing for the club.

Turek was a member of the United States men's national wheelchair basketball team, coached by Ron Lykins. He helped the United States qualify for the 2020 Summer Paralympics at the 2019 Parapan American Games, where he led the team with 18 points in a 67–36 win over Argentina.

In four Paralympic appearances beginning with the 2004 Games in Athens, Turek won a bronze medal at the 2012 Games in London, a gold medal at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, and a gold medal at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. He also won a silver medal at the 2014 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Incheon.

Iowa House of Representatives Elections In March 2022, Turek announced he was running for Iowa's 20th House of Representatives district. After a recount requested by his Republican opponent, Sarah Abdouch, it was confirmed Turek won the election by six votes. He was reelected in 2024, defeating Republican nominee James Wassell with 52.5% of the vote to Wassell's 47.5%. The district has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.

Tenure Turek took office on January 9, 2023. He is the Iowa legislature's first permanently disabled member. It was called the "Work without Worry" program.

Committee assignments In the Iowa House, Turek serves on the Health and Human Services Committee and the Health Policy Oversight Committee. He previously served on the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources committees. He was ranking member of the Veterans Affair Committee and Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

2026 U.S. Senate campaign

On August 12, 2025, Turek announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. He defeated State Senator Zach Wahls in the Democratic primary. He opposes cuts to Medicaid. He supports restoring the abortion protections that Roe v. Wade previously provided, by passing a federal law.

Personal life Turek is married to Jarolin Turek. They live in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His brother John and sister Elisha were also professional basketball players in Europe.