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Campaign Almanac: Charlie Kirk’s group endorses Joe Mitchell in Iowa Republican Congressional primary
Also in the almanac, Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek announces a new slate of endorsements
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The political arm of the conservative advocacy group founded by Charlie Kirk has endorsed Joe Mitchell in the Republican primary in Eastern Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.
Turning Point Action, the campaign arm of Turning Point USA, endorsed Mitchell, a former state legislator from Clear Lake, Mitchell’s campaign announced Monday. A press release from the Mitchell campaign calls him a longtime friend of Kirk’s.
Kirk, a well-known national figure in conservative politics, was shot to death last month at Utah Valley University.
“Joe Mitchell is a young, dynamic conservative who would serve the people of Northeast Iowa well in Congress,” Tyler Bowyer of TPAction said in the Mitchell campaign press release. “We are proud to support him and throw the weight of our organization and grassroots team behind him in this upcoming election. He will make Charlie proud.”
Mitchell worked with Kirk to start RunGenZ, an organization that recruits and trains conservatives to run for public office.
Mitchell is one of three Republicans seeking the party’s nomination in the 2nd Congressional District. The others are state legislators Shannon Lundgren of Peosta and Charlie McClintock of Alburnett.
Five Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination in the 2nd District: state legislator Lindsay James of Dubuque, former nursing dean Kathy Dolter of Asbury, Cedar Rapids nonprofit cofounder Clint Twedt-Ball, Boone hotel manager Guy Morgan, and former state park manager Don Primus of Steamboat Rock. Dave Bushaw, a West Union farmer, is running as an independent.
The district’s incumbent, Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, is running for the U.S. Senate next year.
Former legislative leader endorses Turek
Former Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, is among 15 new endorsements for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek, his campaign said.
“Josh Turek is exactly the candidate we need to take advantage of this generational opportunity. He’s already proven he can win tough races, and this will be no different,” Gronstal said in a Turek campaign press release.
Also among the new endorsements are former Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner Connie Gronstal, past Iowa State Education Association President Linda Nelson, and Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh, who is a Republican.
Turek, a state legislator from Council Bluffs, is among four Democrats seeking the party’s nomination in Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate election. The others are state legislator Zach Wahls of Coralville, former chamber of commerce leader Nathan Sage of Indianola, and veterans advocate Bob Krause.
New Dems endorse Trone Garriott’s Congressional bid
The New Democrat Coalition Action Fund is backing Democratic Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Gariott’s bid for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, the group announced Monday.
Trone Garriott of West Des Moines is vying to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Zach Nunn in a district that political forecasters say will be one of the most competitive in the nation.
“I'm honored to have the support of the New Democrat Action Fund in my campaign,” Trone Garriott said in a statement released by New Dems. “The New Dems know what it takes to represent communities like mine and deliver real results for their constituents. I'm excited to have their support to flip this seat so we can lower costs for working families and improve access to health care.”
Iowa state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights and Xavier Carrign of Waukee are also running for the Democratic nomination.
Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
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