(KIWA Staff Photo)Rock Rapids, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek met with residents and two Lyon County mayors Tuesday during a campaign stop at Rosie’s in Rock Rapids.
The appearance was one of five events Turek held across northwest Iowa that day, including stops in Osceola and Ida counties.
Turek spoke with Inwood Mayor Becca Bixler, Larchwood Mayor Ken Kerkvliet, and local residents about municipal funding, housing, tariffs, agriculture, education, and other issues affecting rural communities.
Turek is running against Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson for the U.S. Senate seat. Former President Barack Obama recently endorsed Turek.
Mayors Discuss Funding and Housing
Bixler said Inwood is growing but needs additional resources to support that growth.
Bixler said Inwood has grown by approximately 14% since the 2020 census, crediting schools, affordability, safety, and proximity to larger communities for attracting families.
credited the area’s schools, affordability, safety and proximity to larger communities for helping attract families.
Kerkvliet said Larchwood faces similar challenges, especially with housing affordability. He also discussed the city’s proximity to Sioux Falls and its limited industrial base.
Tariffs Affect Agriculture and Rural Businesses
A Rock Rapids small-business owner told Turek that tariffs have increased the cost of lawn mower, automotive, and agricultural equipment parts. She said suppliers sometimes raise prices without warning, creating problems for businesses that have already set their selling prices.
She said rural retailers also feel the downstream effects of financial strain in agriculture because their sales depend heavily on farm income. She questioned why farmers have sometimes received direct federal assistance while similarly affected small businesses have primarily been offered loans.
Turek agreed that agricultural conditions affect the entire rural economy but said he does not view the issue as farmers versus small businesses. He said both are struggling.
Turek attributed pressure on farm finances to tariffs and rising diesel and fertilizer costs. He said farmers he has met across Iowa are concerned about the next planting season.
Turek Responds to Trump Post
During the media Q&A, Turek was asked about a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump.
Trump shared a report saying Turek, who represents Iowa’s 20th district in the state house, missed 261 Iowa House votes — about 58% — between January 12th and May 3rd. Trump wrote, “This is big news! Lazy Senators don’t play well in Iowa.”
Turek was asked to respond to the post and the voting figures.
Immigration and the Save Our Bacon Act
Rosie’s operates under the Grooters family’s nonprofit Touch of Hope, which supports a school and other ministries in Haiti. The business also promotes Haitian-made products and employment.
During the media session, Turek was asked about the removal of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.
Turek was also asked about the Save Our Bacon Act, introduced by his opponent, Rep. Ashley Hinson. The bill would prevent states such as California from applying their livestock-production standards to products raised elsewhere. Hinson says the measure would protect Iowa producers from costly regulations imposed by other states.
Turek offered a different view.
Turek’s trip around the state continues this week and will end with time spent at the Iowa State Fair, which opens Thursday. Turek and Hinson are seeking to fill the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Joni Ernst, who is retiring.
