By Chad Timblin, Coralville
Josh Turek won Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat on Nov. 3. Before he’s sworn in, he’ll cast a vote Iowans won’t get to see: Senate Democrats’ secret-ballot election of their next leader, likely in early December.
Chuck Schumer says he’ll be reelected majority leader. Not every new senator agrees. Senators-elect Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, Troy Jackson of Maine, and Adam Hamilton of Kansas have said they want new leadership. Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan said on Nov. 4 that he hopes there are “two or more options” for leader. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has said Democrats shouldn’t pick anyone as leader until the caucus has an open, honest conversation about the direction of the country.
In a July interview on MS NOW, Turek wouldn’t say whether he’d back Schumer, saying he was “not trying to measure the drapes yet.” He added that if he won, he’d have questions for Democratic leaders about their plans to help Iowans and the middle class. He won. The leadership vote is the time to ask those questions, while his vote still gives him leverage.
I’m asking Senator-elect Turek not to commit his vote to Schumer or anyone else until that open conversation happens, and to say so publicly. Iowans voted for change, and how the Senate picks its leader is a good place to start. If you agree, let him know.
