Josh Turek
Josh Turek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Charlie McConkey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joshua Mark Turek April 12, 1979 Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jarolin |
| Relatives | John (brother) |
| Education | Southwest Minnesota State University (BA) DeVry University (MBA) |
| Sports career | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Sport | Wheelchair basketball |
| Disability | Spina bifida |
| Disability class | 3.5 |
| Coached by | Ron Lykins |
Medal record | |
.png){kind=small}
.svg.png){kind=icon}
.svg.png){kind=icon}
.svg.png){kind=icon}
Joshua Mark Turek[1] (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.
Political career
Turek announced he was running for Iowa's 20th House of Representatives district in March 2022.[2] After a recount requested by his Republican opponent Sarah Abdouch, it was confirmed Turek won the election by six votes.[3][4] He took office on January 9, 2023. Turek has worked extensively as an advocate for disabled people. He is the Iowa legislature's first permanently disabled member.[5]
Paralympic career
Turek has represented the United States in wheelchair basketball at the Summer Paralympics four times, finishing in seventh place in 2004 and winning a bronze medal in 2012 and gold medals in 2016 and 2020.[6]
Personal life
Turek was born with spina bifida and has been a wheelchair user since childhood.[7] His brother, John, and sister, Elisha, are both retired professional basketball players.[8]
References
- ^ https://www.turek4iowa.com/meet-josh
- ^ Brownlee, Mike (March 10, 2022). "Turek announces run for Iowa House District 20". The Daily Nonpareil. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ^ Golbitz, David (November 24, 2022). "District 20 recount confirms Turek victory by miniscule margin". The Daily Nonpareil. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Iowa State House - District 20 Election Results". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "Meet Iowa Legislature's new, diverse lawmakers". The Des Moines Register. January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "Wheelchair Basketball - Joshua Turek". Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Simmons, Taj (October 2, 2022). "Champion Paralympian from Iowa shares spina bifida story". who13.com. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ "Josh Turek". TeamUSA.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2021.