Joni Ernst (REP, incumbent), Ashley Hinson (REP), Jackie Norris (DEM), James Scholten (DEM), Jim Carlin (REP), Joshua Turek (DEM), Nathan Sage (DEM), Thomas Raymond Laehn (LIB).
102 ads analyzed, 45 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing.
Findings
As of 2026-09-23. Counts are of distinct ads; the same text run many times is one ad.
Ads analyzed
102 (Meta 65, YouTube 37) · started running between 2026-08-19 and 2026-09-22
With at least one technique
45 of 102 (44%)
Most common techniques
Loaded Language · 37 adsName Calling · 34 adsAppeal to Prejudice · 27 ads
Meta
38 of 65 (58%) flagged · Loaded Language (30), Name Calling (30), Appeal to Fear (22)
YouTube
7 of 37 (19%) flagged · Appeal to Prejudice (7), Loaded Language (7), Exaggeration/Hyperbole (6)
Reported Meta spend
$268,700–350,965 on all ads, $164,500–213,567 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“MAGA dark money machine” — Loaded Language, paid for by Josh Turek for Iowa
· the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique
Money in this race
From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named.
Joni Ernst (REP, incumbent)
Raised
$2.0M through 2026-06-30individuals $997K · PACs $637K · from the candidate's other committees $363K · cash on hand $1.9M
Outside spending
$15K opposing Ernst· latest reported 2025-07-07
Largest outside spenders
INDIVISIBLE ACTION— $15K opposing ErnstLargest donors: MOVEMENT VOTER PAC $100K (3%); LONG RIDGE ACTION FUND $100K (3%)
WINSENATE— $7.1M opposing HinsonLargest donors: SMP $4.1M (100%)AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY ACTION, INC. (AFP ACTION) DBA CVA ACTION AND DBA LIBRE ACTION— $5.1M supporting HinsonLargest donors: KOCH INC $30.0M (33%); STAND TOGETHER INC. $20.0M (22%); WALTON, JIM C. $7.0M (8%); WALTON, S ROBSON $7.0M (8%); STAND TOGETHER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC $6.5M (7%)AB PAC— $4.0M opposing HinsonLargest donors: AB FOUNDATION $10.6M (27%); SIMON, DEBORAH $5.0M (13%); DEMOCRACY MATTERS $4.3M (11%); DEMOCRACY PAC $4.0M (10%); PEELER, DAVID RANDOLPH $1.0M (3%)FIGHT ON IOWA— $2.2M supporting HinsonLargest donors: GRIFFIN, KENNETH $1.5M (83%); A PUBLIC VOICE INC. $115K (6%); DUHAMEL, WILLIAM $100K (6%)GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS PAC— $1.1M opposing HinsonLargest donors: RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT ACTION $7.0M (46%); CIVITECH, PBC $3.0M (20%); CONTOURS, INC. $2.9M (19%); FULCRUM PAC $500K (3%); MORITZ, MICHAEL $500K (3%)and 7 more
SLF PAC— $13.2M opposing Turek
· 14 ads on this pageLargest donors: ONE NATION $70.7M (28%); ADELSON, MIRIAM $30.0M (12%); SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN A. $17.0M (7%); SINGER, PAUL ELLIOTT $14.5M (6%); MUSK, ELON $10.0M (4%)VOTEVETS— $9.8M supporting TurekLargest donors: SIMON, DEBORAH J $1.1M (9%); VOTEVETS ACTION FUND $1.0M (8%); THE BENCH $650K (6%); PROJECT 218 $500K (4%); MENNET, LISA $500K (4%)WIN IT BACK PAC— $3.8M opposing TurekLargest donors: CLUB FOR GROWTH ACTION $4.5M (40%); YASS, JEFF MR. $4.5M (39%); SCHOOL FREEDOM FUND $1.9M (17%); ROJ, WILLIAM H. MR. $300K (3%); SANDLER, RICKY $100K (1%)FIGHT ON IOWA— $2.2M opposing TurekLargest donors: GRIFFIN, KENNETH $1.5M (83%); A PUBLIC VOICE INC. $115K (6%); DUHAMEL, WILLIAM $100K (6%)AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY ACTION, INC. (AFP ACTION) DBA CVA ACTION AND DBA LIBRE ACTION— $1.6M opposing TurekLargest donors: KOCH INC $30.0M (33%); STAND TOGETHER INC. $20.0M (22%); WALTON, JIM C. $7.0M (8%); WALTON, S ROBSON $7.0M (8%); STAND TOGETHER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC $6.5M (7%)and 16 more
Bundled through PACs
$43K through 2 PACs · FEC bulk data of 2026-09-20JSTREETPAC— $41K from 57 giftsLobbyist/registrant PACPAC FOR GOOD— $2,500 from 1 gift
64 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
A NEW DIRECTION PAC $1,000
ABLE DEMS PAC $3,500
ADVANCING DEMOCRACY AND MOBILIZATION PAC $10K
ALL FOR OUR COUNTRY LEADERSHIP PAC $10K
ALSOPAC $5,000
AMERICA WORKS FEDERAL PAC $5,000
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AAJ PAC) $5,000
AMERICAN MOBILIZATION PAC $5,000
BEYOND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS PAC $1,000
BLUE HEN FEDERAL PAC $10K
BLUE WAVE PROJECT $10K
CARROLL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE $450
COMMON GROUND PAC $10K
COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA - COPE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITTEE $5,000
DEFEND THE DREAM $5,000
DEFEND THE VOTE $5,000
FIGHT PAC $7,000
FOLLOW THE NORTH STAR FUND $5,000
FORWARD TOGETHER PAC $10K
GRANITE VALUES PAC $10K
HAWAII PAC $5,000
HEALTH JOBS JUSTICE $5,000
HOOPS PAC $5,000
I GOT YOUR BACK PAC $10K
IMPACT $10K
IN OUR HANDS $5,000
IN THIS TOGETHER PAC $5,000
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
JENNIFER KONFRST FOR CONGRESS $2,000
JUNTOS PAC $10K
KEVIN TECHAU FOR CONGRESS $4,000
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ACTION FUND $50
LEGPAC $10K
LIFTOFF PAC $5,000
LOBO PAC $10K
M-PAC $5,000
MACHINISTS NON PARTISAN POLITICAL LEAGUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS $5,000
MAPLE PAC $5,000
MELTON FOR IOWA $402
MITTEN PAC $10K
MODERATE DEMOCRATS PAC $10K
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE $500
Paid for by Senate Leadership Fundvideo · 0:30from 2026-09-22
We've got the most controlled border we've ever had in the history. >> Yet liberal politician Josh Turick supports amnesty for illegals. >> We need an easier pathway [music] to citizenship. >> Turick voted to give taxpayer-funded welfare benefits to illegal immigrants, said cracking down on illegals was >> fundamentally wrong [music] and un-American. >> Turick was even caught telling illegal immigrants how to obstruct law enforcement. Liberal politician [music] Josh Turick. >> Fundamentally wrong and un-American. >> SLF PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising.
Exaggeration/HyperboleName CallingLoaded LanguageAppeal to PrejudiceCard StackingAppeal to FearRepetition87.5% of sentences flagged
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The claim of 'most controlled border ever in history' is an absolute superlative that overstates the situation without evidence — for example: most controlled border we've ever had in the history and Turick was even caught telling illegal immigrants how to obstruct law enforcement.
Name Calling: The term 'illegals' is a derogatory label used to dehumanize a group rather than use neutral terminology — for example: amnesty for illegals, cracking down on illegals and Liberal politician Josh Turick.
Loaded Language: The word 'amnesty' carries strong negative emotional connotations in immigration debates, designed to trigger a reaction — for example: supports amnesty for illegals, taxpayer-funded welfare benefits to illegal immigrants and fundamentally wrong and un-American.
Appeal to Prejudice: Framing Turick as a 'liberal politician' supporting 'illegals' exploits in-group/out-group identity to stoke resentment — for example: 'liberal politician Josh Turick supports amnesty for illegals'
Card Stacking: This quote is presented without context or the full policy argument, selectively framing Turick's position to make it appear extreme — for example: We need an easier pathway to citizenship and said cracking down on illegals was fundamentally wrong and un-American.
Appeal to Fear: Invoking 'taxpayer-funded welfare benefits to illegal immigrants' is designed to create anxiety about economic harm to citizens — for example: voted to give taxpayer-funded welfare benefits to illegal immigrants and telling illegal immigrants how to obstruct law enforcement.
Repetition: The label 'liberal politician' is repeated alongside Turick's name to reinforce a negative association through familiarity — for example: Liberal politician Josh Turick and Fundamentally wrong and un-American.
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Watch on YouTube ↗Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-164 variantsspend $2,600–3,396137,000–157,996 impressions
Liberal politician Josh Turek admitted 💬: “I ended up missing about 50% of the votes in the Iowa Legislature...”
Worse yet, he said “I don’t know if that... matters to Iowans”
Iowans know: It matters. Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes, but took 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck.
Liberal politician Josh Turek admitted 💬: “I ended up missing about 50% of the votes in the Iowa Legislature...”
Worse yet, he said “I don’t know if that... matters to Iowans”
Iowans know: It matters. Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes, but took 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-167 variantsspend $8,900–11,193870,000–1,019,993 impressions
IOWA: Liberal politician Josh Turek was a NO-SHOW for 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature this year, abandoning Iowans when they needed him most.
But Turek still collected EVERY DIME of his taxpayer-funded paycheck.
Turek only shows up for himself. Not for Iowans in need.
IOWA: Liberal politician Josh Turek was a NO-SHOW for 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature this year, abandoning Iowans when they needed him most.
But Turek still collected EVERY DIME of his taxpayer-funded paycheck.
Turek only shows up for himself. Not for Iowans in need.
Name CallingLoaded LanguageAppeal to FearCard StackingAppeal to Prejudice75.0% of sentences flagged
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal politician' is used as a derogatory tag to discredit Turek before presenting any facts, framing him negatively through political identity rather than addressing his record on its merits — for example: 'Liberal politician Josh Turek'
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged phrases like 'NO-SHOW' and 'abandoning Iowans' are chosen to trigger outrage and a sense of betrayal rather than neutrally describing an absence record — for example: 'abandoning Iowans when they needed him most'
Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'when they needed him most' implies a crisis or critical moment of vulnerability, creating anxiety that constituents were left unprotected or unrepresented — for example: 'abandoning Iowans when they needed him most'
Card Stacking: The statistic of 58% missed votes is presented without context such as reasons for absences, whether absences were excused, or how this compares to other legislators, selectively framing the data to support a negative conclusion — for example: 'was a NO-SHOW for 58% of his votes'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase invokes in-group identity by contrasting Turek's alleged selfishness with the needs of 'Iowans,' appealing to local identity and implying he is an outsider to their interests — for example: 'Not for Iowans in need'
Claims checked
“Liberal politician Josh Turek was a NO-SHOW for 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature this year” Checked as: Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature in the relevant year.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Turek still collected EVERY DIME of his taxpayer-funded paycheck” Checked as: Turek collected every dime of his taxpayer-funded paycheck (i.e., received his full government salary without reduction or forfeiture)No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-163 variantsspend $11,500–13,4971,350,000–1,574,997 impressions
Liberal politician Josh Turek admitted 💬: “I ended up missing about 50% of the votes in the Iowa Legislature...”
Worse yet, he said “I don’t know if that... matters to Iowans”
Iowans know: It matters. Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes, but took 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck
Liberal politician Josh Turek admitted 💬: “I ended up missing about 50% of the votes in the Iowa Legislature...”
Worse yet, he said “I don’t know if that... matters to Iowans”
Iowans know: It matters. Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes, but took 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck
no techniques found
Claims checked
“Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes” No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“took 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck” Checked as: Someone took 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheckNo authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-166 variantsspend $2,800–3,394265,000–319,994 impressions
IOWA LATEST: Democrat Josh Turek, candidate for U.S. Senate, missed 58% of his Iowa House votes, including votes to help veterans, fund schools, and protect Iowa families in need. Voters are questioning his commitment to helping Iowans.
Read more:
IOWA LATEST: Democrat Josh Turek, candidate for U.S. Senate, missed 58% of his Iowa House votes, including votes to help veterans, fund schools, and protect Iowa families in need. Voters are questioning his commitment to helping Iowans.
Read more:
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-164 variantsspend $16,000–22,4961,320,000–1,489,996 impressions
Liberal Josh Turek skipped HUNDREDS of Iowa House votes, missing 58% of his votes, including to raise money in Washington, D.C, and Los Angeles.
Turek still took 100% of his TAXPAYER-FUNDED paycheck – plus $20,000 in reimbursements.
Josh Turek only shows up for himself.
Name CallingLoaded LanguageCard Stacking33.3% of sentences flagged
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal' is used as a derogatory political tag to prime the reader negatively before presenting the accusation — for example: Liberal Josh Turek
Loaded Language: The word 'skipped' and the capitalized 'HUNDREDS' are emotionally charged choices designed to trigger outrage rather than neutrally report absences — for example: skipped HUNDREDS
Card Stacking: The sentence selectively presents the number of missed votes and the reason of fundraising in distant cities to paint the worst possible picture, omitting any context such as whether absences were excused, common among legislators, or offset by other work — for example: missing 58% of his votes, including to raise money in Washington, D.C, and Los Angeles
Claims checked
“missing 58% of his votes” Checked as: A person (implied: Ashley Hinson) missed 58% of their votesNo authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Liberal Josh Turek skipped HUNDREDS of Iowa House votes” Checked as: Josh Turek skipped hundreds of Iowa House votes.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Turek still took 100% of his TAXPAYER-FUNDED paycheck” Checked as: Turek received 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck (while doing something else, e.g., campaigning)No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“plus $20,000 in reimbursements” Checked as: A figure of $20,000 in reimbursements was paid or received by someone mentioned in the article.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-167 variantsspend $4,200–6,093464,000–560,993 impressions
Liberal politician Josh Turek skipped 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature this year, failing Iowa families when they needed him most.
But Turek still pocketed 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck.
Liberal politician Josh Turek. He only shows up for himself.
Name CallingLoaded LanguageAppeal to Prejudice25.0% of sentences flagged
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal' is used as a political tag to prime negative associations rather than to neutrally describe party affiliation — for example: Liberal politician
Loaded Language: The phrase 'failing Iowa families when they needed him most' uses emotionally charged language to frame an absence record as a moral betrayal rather than a factual reporting of missed votes — for example: failing Iowa families when they needed him most
Appeal to Prejudice: The invocation of 'Iowa families' appeals to in-group identity, implying that Turek has let down 'his own people' and positioning the audience as the aggrieved community — for example: failing Iowa families
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-168 variantsspend $6,700–8,292861,000–991,992 impressions
NEWS: Iowa Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate Josh Turek skipped 58% of his Iowa Legislature votes. Reports show that Turek was often travelling to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles to raise campaign dollars from wealthy donors during important votes.
Read more.
NEWS: Iowa Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate Josh Turek skipped 58% of his Iowa Legislature votes. Reports show that Turek was often travelling to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles to raise campaign dollars from wealthy donors during important votes.
Read more.
NEWS: Iowa Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate Josh Turek skipped 58% of his Iowa Legislature votes. Reports show that Turek was often travelling to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles to raise campaign dollars from wealthy donors during important votes.
Read more.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-118 variantsspend $9,800–12,292782,000–887,992 impressions
IOWA: Liberal politician Josh Turek SKIPPED 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature.
But that didn’t stop Josh Turek from collecting his full taxpayer-funded paycheck.
That’s liberal politician Josh Turek. Only showing up for himself. Not for Iowans.
Name CallingLoaded LanguageAppeal to Prejudice80.0% of sentences flagged
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal' is used as a derogatory political tag to prime the reader negatively before presenting the statistic — for example: 'Liberal politician'
Loaded Language: The word 'SKIPPED' (capitalized for emphasis) carries a connotation of laziness or dereliction of duty rather than using neutral language like 'missed' or 'was absent for' — for example: 'SKIPPED 58% of his votes'
Appeal to Prejudice: Invokes in-group identity of 'Iowans' to contrast with Turek, implying he is an outsider or enemy of the local community — for example: 'Not for Iowans'
Claims checked
“Liberal politician Josh Turek SKIPPED 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature.” Checked as: Josh Turek skipped 58% of his votes in the Iowa Legislature.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“that didn’t stop Josh Turek from collecting his full taxpayer-funded paycheck.” Checked as: Josh Turek collected his full taxpayer-funded paycheck (while doing something that might have prevented it).No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-114 variantsspend $15,500–21,5961,080,000–1,219,996 impressions
Liberal Josh Turek skipped HUNDREDS of Iowa House votes, missing 58% of his votes, including to raise money in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
Turek still took 100% of his TAXPAYER-FUNDED paycheck – plus $20,000 in reimbursements.
Josh Turek only shows up for himself.
no techniques found
Claims checked
“missing 58% of his votes” Checked as: A person (implied: Ashley Hinson) missed 58% of their votesNo authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Liberal Josh Turek skipped HUNDREDS of Iowa House votes” Checked as: Josh Turek skipped hundreds of Iowa House votes.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Turek still took 100% of his TAXPAYER-FUNDED paycheck” Checked as: Turek received 100% of his taxpayer-funded paycheck (while doing something else, e.g., campaigning)No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“plus $20,000 in reimbursements” Checked as: A figure of $20,000 in reimbursements exists in connection with the subject of this article.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-10 to 2026-09-162 variantsspend $1,500–2,098105,000–119,998 impressions
IOWA LATEST: Democrat Josh Turek, candidate for U.S. Senate, missed 58% of his Iowa House votes, including votes to help veterans, fund schools, and protect Iowa families in need. Voters are questioning his commitment to helping Iowans.
Read more:
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by SLF PACfrom 2026-09-10 to 2026-09-172 variantsspend $3,400–3,998520,000–579,998 impressions
NEWS: Iowa Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate Josh Turek skipped 58% of his Iowa Legislature votes. Reports show that Turek was often travelling to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles to raise campaign dollars from wealthy donors during important votes.
Read more.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Senate Leadership Fundvideo · 0:30from 2026-09-04
I ended up missing about 50% of the votes in the Iowa legislature this year. [music] I don't know if that matters to Iowans. >> Liberal politician Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes, hundreds of votes, yet still [music] collected his full taxpayer-funded paycheck. Turek also charged taxpayers [music] 20 grand for reimbursements. >> I don't know if that matters to Iowans. >> Liberal politician Josh Turek, he only shows up for himself. SLF PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising.
Loaded LanguageName CallingExaggeration/HyperboleRepetitionAppeal to Prejudice71.4% of sentences flagged
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged words chosen to trigger a reaction rather than convey facts. — for example: collected his full taxpayer-funded paycheck and charged taxpayers 20 grand for reimbursements.
Name Calling: The label 'Liberal politician' is used as a derogatory tag to prime the audience against Turek before presenting the accusation — for example: Liberal politician Josh Turek.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The escalation from the self-admitted ~50% to '58% of his votes, hundreds of votes' is framed to amplify the scale of the offense beyond what the original admission suggested — for example: hundreds of votes
Repetition: The phrase 'I don't know if that matters to Iowans' is repeated verbatim from sentence 2 to rhetorically imply that it does matter and to reinforce the accusation through familiarity — for example: I don't know if that matters to Iowans and Liberal politician Josh Turek, he only shows up for himself.
Appeal to Prejudice: The claim 'he only shows up for himself' invokes in-group loyalty by implying Turek does not represent ordinary Iowans but only his own interests — for example: he only shows up for himself
Claims checked
“Liberal politician Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes, hundreds of votes, yet still collected his full taxpayer-funded paycheck.” Checked as: Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes (hundreds of votes) as a politician while still collecting his full taxpayer-funded paycheck.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Turek also charged taxpayers 20 grand for reimbursements.” Checked as: Josh Turek charged taxpayers $20,000 for reimbursements.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Watch on YouTube ↗Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.
LIBERAL POLITICIAN JOSH TUREK ONLY SHOWS UP FOR HIMSELF
Paid for by Senate Leadership Fundvideo · 0:30from 2026-08-20
One month into the session in the Iowa State House is buzzing with activity. >> We expect our lawmakers to show up. [music] Yet, liberal politician Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes in the Iowa legislature. Votes to help veterans and fund schools. Turek missed more [music] than half his votes, yet still collected his full taxpayer-funded paycheck. Liberal politician Josh Turek, he only shows up for himself. SLF PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising.
Name CallingCard StackingAppeal to PrejudiceLoaded LanguageRepetitionExaggeration/Hyperbole57.1% of sentences flagged
Name Calling: The label 'liberal politician' is used as a derogatory tag to prime the audience negatively before presenting the accusation — for example: liberal politician Josh Turek and Liberal politician Josh Turek.
Card Stacking: Selectively highlights emotionally resonant vote categories (veterans, schools) to maximize negative impression while omitting context about why votes were missed or what other votes Turek did cast — for example: 'Votes to help veterans and fund schools'
Appeal to Prejudice: Invoking veterans and schools appeals to widely shared in-group values to stoke resentment against Turek — for example: 'Votes to help veterans and fund schools'
Loaded Language: The phrase 'taxpayer-funded paycheck' is emotionally charged to trigger resentment by implying Turek is taking money from ordinary citizens without earning it — for example: 'full taxpayer-funded paycheck'
Repetition: The claim that Turek missed votes is repeated a third time ('missed more than half his votes') to reinforce the accusation through familiarity — for example: missed 58% of his votes, Turek missed more than half his votes and liberal politician Josh Turek.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The absolute claim 'he only shows up for himself' overstates the evidence, which only shows missed votes, not proof of self-serving motivation — for example: 'he only shows up for himself'
Claims checked
“liberal politician Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes in the Iowa legislature.” Checked as: Josh Turek missed 58% of his votes in the Iowa legislature.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Turek missed more than half his votes, yet still collected his full taxpayer-funded paycheck.” Checked as: Turek missed more than half his votes and still collected his full taxpayer-funded paycheck.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
“Votes to help veterans and fund schools.” Checked as: Josh Turek voted to help veterans and fund schools.No authoritative evidence found
Verdict right?
Watch on YouTube ↗Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.
What this page is
An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it comes from a national Senate group and ran mostly in IA; or it ran mostly in IA and names a candidate — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
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