Turek's Senate win means personal victory

Josh Turek secured a seat in the United States Senate following a tight contest in Iowa. For one family in Council Bluffs, the outcome carries weight beyond the typical partisan victory.

Carly Sorensen, 24, lives with spina bifida, the same condition that affects Turek. The two have known each other since childhood through a local support network. Sorensen described Turek as fun and enjoyable to be around. Her mother, Megan Sorensen, said the family maintained close contact with the lawmaker during his 2023 and 2024 efforts to push Medicaid reform through the state legislature.

Megan Sorensen noted that the closeness of the race led her to manage the family's expectations. She said the realization of his victory felt indescribable. The family views Turek's move to Washington, D.C., as a chance to place people with disabilities at the center of federal policy discussions. Megan Sorensen stated that Turek's presence in the Senate gives those with disabilities a real seat at the table during a period of healthcare crisis.

Carly Sorensen believes Turek's career sets a new standard for the disability community. She hopes his win signals to others that a disability does not limit the scale of professional achievements. She pointed to his Senate victory as evidence that people with conditions like spina bifida can hold high office.

Megan Sorensen acknowledged that the family may disagree with Turek on specific policy positions. She expressed confidence that he will listen to various perspectives once he takes his seat. The family joined the wider spina bifida community in hoping the election leads to greater understanding of the condition. They also cited higher expectations and more opportunities for participation and leadership as desired outcomes.

Turek will represent Iowa in the U.S. Senate. The Sorensen family, who have known him for years, will watch his work from a neighborhood just outside the state capital.