Turek says criticism from both sides probably means he is in the right place
Josh TurekDemocratic U.S. Senate nominee, speaking to reporters after a Fort Dodge campaign event
Turek says angering people on both sides of the aisle probably means he is in the right place.
“Honestly, I think if you got some folks angry with you on both sides of the aisle, you're probably in the right place”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
One Iowa Action condemns Josh Turek's transgender-policy ad; Turek defends his position
AdImpact Politics shared Josh Turek's U.S. Senate campaign ad on October 24, 2026. In it, Turek says no Iowan should face discrimination, that he opposes 'males competing in female sports,' and that he is 'against taxpayers paying for sex changes.' One Iowa Action condemned the ad and said it indicates Turek would prohibit all Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care, regardless of age. His Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, said Turek was misrepresenting his voting record. On October 28, Turek told reporters that angering people on both sides of the aisle meant he was probably in the right place. He also said he does not support public money for gender-affirming surgery for minors. The ad did not specify minors.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Iowa Public Radio reports that Turek told reporters he does not support public money for gender-affirming surgery for minors, although the advertisement did not specify minors.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Iowa Public Radio reports that Turek responded to bipartisan criticism of the ad after a campaign event in Fort Dodge.
After the quotation
He also tells reporters he does not support public money for gender-affirming surgery for minors. Iowa Public Radio notes that the ad did not specify minors.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the ad's policy positions under scrutiny, Turek answers the bipartisan criticism by saying that angering people on both sides suggests he is in the right place.
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More from this case
Read the full caseHinson says Turek is running away from his liberal record
“He is trying to act like a Republican to win this election here in Iowa, and he has to run away from his liberal record”Read statement
One Iowa Action condemns Turek's ad and what it calls a policy shift
One Iowa Action
“We unequivocally condemn Josh Turek's recently released campaign ad and the policy shift it represents.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Turek says criticism from both sides probably means he is in the right place". First published: 2026-11-01. Last updated: 2026-11-01. https://disputeindex.com/events/7464-turek-says-angering-people-on-both-sides-of