Buttigieg picks sides in Iowa

Pete Buttigieg has decided to take a stand in a fiercely contested Senate Democratic primary in Iowa, a state that significantly boosted his national political stature.

Buttigieg, who emerged victorious in the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses, is endorsing state Rep. Josh Turek. This move signals his readiness to engage in competitive primaries as he contemplates another presidential run.

The endorsement follows a recent visit from Buttigieg’s former 2020 opponent, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who campaigned for Turek’s rival, state Sen. Zach Wahls, earlier this week.

In a statement provided first to POLITICO, Buttigieg said, “We made history in Iowa in 2020 because our campaign went everywhere. We connected with people in rural towns and the largest cities, focused on the issues that affect everyday life, and brought Democrats, Independents, and even Republicans into the fold. Josh Turek has taken that same proven approach to his campaign, and that’s why I know he will be successful. I believe Iowa can make history again in 2026 by sending Josh to the U.S. Senate.”

Buttigieg’s decision to take a side in Iowa marks a shift from his earlier stance. In March, he told POLITICO it was “not in my plans” to endorse candidates in tight primaries in either Michigan or Iowa. While this could boost Turek’s campaign and offer Buttigieg a potential ally for a future presidential bid, it could also risk alienating supporters of Wahls in this competitive race.

This move is not entirely unexpected. Turek’s campaign has reunited several members of Buttigieg’s 2020 team: former national press secretary Chris Meagher advises Turek, while former senior adviser Lis Smith and former aide Matt Corridoni are aligned with The Bench, a political group active in Democratic primaries.

Iowa’s role in the Democratic nomination process remains uncertain. The state lost its early primary status in 2024 following a problematic caucus-night vote count and app failure. Iowa Democrats are aiming to regain a spot among the first four states, with the nominating order expected to be decided later this year.

Buttigieg joins a group of notable supporters for Turek, including Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, along with former Sen. Tom Harkin, the last Democrat to represent Iowa in the Senate.

Turek expressed gratitude for Buttigieg’s support, stating, “I am deeply honored to have Pete’s support in this race. His unique ability to connect with Iowans who feel forgotten and left behind is exactly why he won the caucuses in 2020, and it’s that same approach that will help us win Senator Harkin’s seat back.”