DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) 鈥� Iowa Democrat Josh Turek got an assist Wednesday from former President Barack Obama, who endorsed his bid to in of the two shooting hoops.
The seat held by is among the tough targeted races for Democrats to winning the Senate majority. Turek faces Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Trump won Iowa by double digits in the last presidential election, and it鈥檚 been more than a decade since a Democrat represented Iowa in the Senate. Still, Democrats think they have this cycle.
Turek, a state representative, played wheelchair basketball for the United States in four Paralympic Games. In the video, Turek and Obama play a game of I-O-W-A instead of horse.
鈥淚 know a little something about winning Iowa,鈥� Obama says, a reference to that launched the little-known U.S. senator from Illinois to the Democratic presidential nomination. Obama also carried Iowa in both the 2008 and 2012 general elections.
鈥淥f all the things I鈥檝e done in politics, Iowa was my favorite thing,鈥� Obama goes on. 鈥淭here was just a magic about regular folks showing up.鈥�
With months to go before , Obama is already throwing his weight behind candidates this cycle. He joined U.S. Senate candidate at in Texas in May.
Known for his love of basketball, Obama had the White House tennis court modified so he could play basketball and had a professional grade basketball court installed at his Presidential Center. He met WNBA players, including , at that court last week.
Against Turek, Obama says he got 鈥渨hooped.鈥�
鈥淣ow the ball鈥檚 in your court, Iowa,鈥� Obama says. 鈥淟et鈥檚 make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.鈥�
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