After being a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Iowa for a few months, J.D. Scholten on Monday dropped out of the field and endorsed another Democrat in the race.
Scholten in a release announced his support for Josh Turek, who like Scholten, is a state representative in the Iowa House.
The U.S. Senate seat that goes before voters in November 2026 is held by Republican Joni Ernst, who has been in office for 11 years.
"From the very beginning, I thought a prairie populist athlete from Western Iowa would be the best candidate to win in the General election. I still do, but instead of me, I have complete confidence that Josh Turek can take this on. That’s why I am suspending my campaign and endorsing him. As his friend, I’m proud to support him," Scholten said.
Scholten will join Turek for a campaign event in Council Bluffs, where Turek lives, for a 6:30 p.m. event Monday.
