Joshua Turek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Charlie McConkey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 12, 1979 Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jarolin |
| Education | Southwest Minnesota State University (BA History, MBA) |
| Sports career | |
| Nickname | Josh |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Sport | Wheelchair basketball |
| Disability | Spina bifida |
| Disability class | 3.5 |
| Coached by | Ron Lykins |
Medal record | |
Joshua Turek (born April 12, 1979) is an American politician serving as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 20th district. He was formerly a wheelchair basketball player and a member of the United States men's national wheelchair basketball team.
Turek announced he was running for Iowa's 20th House of Representatives district in March 2022.[1] After a recount requested by his Republican opponent Sarah Abdouch, it was confirmed Turek won the election by six votes.[2][3] He assumed office on January 9, 2023. He has worked extensively as an advocate for disabled people. He enters the Iowa state legislature as the first permanently disabled member in its history.[4]
Turek has represented the United States in Wheelchair basketball at the Summer Paralympics four times, finishing in seventh place in 2004, winning a bronze medal in 2012 and gold medals in 2016 and 2020.[5]
Turek was born with spina bifida and has been a wheelchair user since childhood.[6] His brother, John, and sister, Elisha, are both retired professional basketball players.[7]
