Democratic official says she won’t vote for lowa Senate candidate over trans ad

“The Democratic chairwoman of a rural lowa county said Friday that she would not vote for her party's Senate candidate, state Rep. Josh Turek, over his advertising on transgender issues.

“In a recent ad that reiterated his earlier positions, Turek says that while 'no lowan should face discrimination,' he does not support 'males competing in female sports' and is 'against taxpayers paying for sex changes’.

"Kathy Winter, chair of the Osceola County Democratic Party, said in a statement that Turek's stance runs afoul of the lowa Democratic Party's platform, which opposes restrictions on transgender health care.

“‘At a time of unprecedented hate and bigotry being directed at transgender lowans, I cannot in good \[conscience\] vote for a man who is promising to make their lives worse, Winter said in a statement.’”

"lowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Rita Hart and other Democrats defended Turek in statements provided by his campaign.

“‘While I disagree with his ad, I know I can talk to him and make my concerns heard’, said Adam Peters, a Democratic state House candidate who has worked for an LGBTQ+ nonprofit.”

"Turek is locked in a close race with Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson for an open Senate seat in a race that could determine control of the chamber."