We first worked with Zach Wahls when we were covering the Irving-based Boy Scouts kicking out gay scouts and troop leaders. He got involved by pressuring companies that sponsored the Scouts to suspend their affiliation with the organization until it stopped discriminating against LGBTQ scouts and leaders.
Wahls isn’t gay but he was raised by two moms and understood discrimination.
Black Tie Dinner honored Wahls with its Equality Award at the 2013 dinner.
While he was in his 20s, Wahls was elected to the Iowa state Senate. Now, he has announced he’s running for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Joni Ernst. Here’s what his campaign sent us:
Coralville, Iowa – State Senator Zach Wahls today announced his candidacy for the United States Senate, challenging beleaguered incumbent Senator Joni Ernst. Wahls’ announced his candidacy with a video highlighting his unique life story and vision for Iowa’s future.
“I’m running because Iowans are working hard but aren’t getting ahead, and I want to do something to help solve the problems that hardworking families are facing,” said Wahls. “I’m sick of watching our communities struggle with rising costs, stagnant wages, jobs leaving the state, and rising cancer rates, and I’m sick of watching our politicians do nothing to address these problems.
“While Joni Ernst is busy trying to cut Medicaid, I’ll do everything I can to protect the benefits that Iowans’ have earned,” added Wahls. “I will stand up to the special interests to lower our cost-of-living, protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and fearlessly defend our freedoms and rights.”
Wahls’ announcement comes on the heels of Joni Ernst’s “we are all going to die” response to a constituent asking her about proposed Medicaid cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill. Ernst’s comment, as well as her double down in a follow up video, has sparked widespread anger across Iowa. A poll taken immediately after her remarks found her approval rating sinking to 39%, prompting national election forecasters to move the race towards Democrats.
“When Joni Ernst first ran, she promised to make Washington squeal,” said Wahls. “But Joni broke her promise to us. Like so many politicians before her, she’s become a creature of the swamp, putting the needs of the billionaires and their special interests ahead of Iowans.”
Zach Wahls is a problem-solving State Senator and sixth-generation Iowan who puts middle class and working families first. In the legislature, he’s fought against powerful special interests exploiting Iowans who live in mobile homes, led the effort to ban politicians from insider trading, proposed common-sense term limits, and worked across party lines to deliver real results for Iowa communities, both big and small.
Zach first gained national attention in 2011 when, as a 19-year-old college kid at the University of Iowa, he defended the freedom to marry for all Iowans, including families like his own with two moms, before the Iowa Legislature. That moment of courage showed Iowa who he was: someone willing to stand up for what’s right, especially when it’s hard.
“Zach has always demonstrated the courage to stand up for what’s right,” said former Congressman Dave Loebsack. “With Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid under threat from politicians in Washington, we need a Senator with the backbone to fight for us. I know Zach will be that leader, and we need Zach in the United States Senate.”
The Des Moines Register has called Wahls, “a prolific fundraiser with a national profile,” and that Zach represents, “a new vision for how the party could connect with voters and work to reclaim relevance in a state that has taken a hard-right turn over the last decade.”
“It’s time for Iowa Democrats to embrace a new generation of leaders, that’s why I enthusiastically support Zach Wahls for US Senate,” said former Lt. Governor Patty Judge. “Zach is unafraid to challenge the broken political status quo and unfair economy that is leaving too many Iowans behind. Iowa desperately needs new leaders with fresh ideas, and Iowa needs Zach Wahls in the US Senate.”
Zach has always stood with working people, and he is the only candidate in the race with a 100% lifetime voting record with the Iowa Federation of Labor.
“If you work hard for a living, Zach Wahls is on your side,” said Andy Roberts, Secretary-Treasurer of the Central Iowa Building & Construction Trades Council. “Zach has always stood with working people, retirees, and middle-class families. He has the courage to stand up for us and against the corporate special interests, and he’s unafraid to stand up against corruption in either party when he feels it’s hurting Iowans.”
Zach, a graduate of the University of Iowa, lives in Coralville with his wife Chloe, their son Elijah, and their dog Zelda. He’s an active member of his Unitarian Universalist congregation and until recently served as the Vice President of Community Investment at GreenState Credit Union, Iowa’s largest independent financial cooperative.
— David Taffet