Iowa Farmers Union Endorses Turek, Citing Medicaid Cuts' Rural Impact

Iowa Farmers Union endorsed Josh Turek for U.S. Senate and other Iowa Democrats, its first federal endorsement in at least 14 years. President Aaron Lehman cited record diesel prices, trade disruption, and healthcare costs as reasons for the shift, specifically pointing to Medicaid changes in the Republican-led reconciliation law as accelerating decline of rural health systems. Lehman referenced a KFF estimate that the law's provisions would cut federal Medicaid spending in rural areas by $137 billion, while a new Rural Health Transformation Program will award $50 billion in state grants from 2026 to 2030. Turek, a state representative, faces Rep. Ashley Hinson in the Nov. 3, 2026 election for the seat being vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst.

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