Disability Victory Condemns Transphobic Campaign Ad Released by Iowa Candidate Josh Turek

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC — Disability Victory, a national organization dedicated to empowering disabled progressives to build political power and run for office, issued a statement today unequivocally denouncing a recent political advertisement released by Iowa candidate Josh Turek.

In the campaign advertisement, Turek invokes his lived experience as a wheelchair user and Paralympian—referencing the bullying he faced growing up disabled—before pivoting to advocate for exclusionary policies against transgender people. Specifically, the ad calls for restricting transgender women from participating in sports and proposes a federal ban on public funding for gender-affirming care.

This proposed funding ban functions as a devastating, blanket restriction on life-saving medical care, threatening access for transgender individuals reliant on Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidized plans.

Disability Victory strongly rejects the weaponization of disability identity to justify discrimination against another marginalized group. Living with a disability and navigating systemic ableism does not grant anyone permission to "punch down" on transgender people or compromise their rights for short-term electoral strategy.

True political progress cannot be built by sacrificing one marginalized community to appease political extremes. The struggle for disability rights is inextricably linked to the struggle for transgender liberation. Both movements are rooted in fundamental demands for bodily autonomy, self-determination, equal access to public spaces, and unhindered access to necessary healthcare. When a disabled leader uses their platform to restrict bodily autonomy and healthcare for trans individuals, it damages the collective fight for equity and undermines the core ethos of disabled political empowerment.

"As disabled progressives, our mission is to build political power rooted in justice, accessibility, and solidarity," said Neal Carter, Co-Founder and President of Disability Victory. "It is profoundly harmful when a disabled candidate uses their experience with ableism and bullying as a shield to enact harm against transgender people. Marginalized communities cannot achieve true liberation by pushing others down. We stand firmly with the transgender community and call on all progressive candidates to reject transphobia in all its forms."

Disability Victory calls on political candidates, party leadership, and allied organizations across the country to reject anti-trans politics and commit to an intersectional platform that protects healthcare access and civil rights for all people.

About Disability Victory

Disability Victory is a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to building disabled progressive political power by empowering disabled progressives to run for elected office, hold public leadership roles, and work on political campaigns through accessible training, resources, and community building.

Media Contact

Neal Carter
Disability Victory
Email: hello@disabilityvictory.org
Website: www.disabilityvictory.org