KCCI, Iowa’s News Leader, will host a U.S. Senate primary debate as part of its Commitment 2026 political coverage ahead of the June 2 primary. The primetime debate, featuring the two Democrats hoping to earn their party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, will air on digital channel KCCI 8.1 at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14.The candidates participating in the U.S. Senate primary debate are state Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs and state Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville. The two are running to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst as Iowa’s junior senator. Ernst’s retirement after two terms leaves a Senate seat open for the first time since 2014.The candidates will face each other at KCCI’s studios in Des Moines. KCCI chief political reporter Amanda Rooker and Gray Media’s Iowa political director Dave Price will ask them about the issues that matter most to Iowans, including the growing cost of living, immigration policies and foreign policy. The debates will also be available on air and on digital platforms statewide on Gray Media’s KCRG in Cedar Rapids, KTIV in Sioux City and KWQC in the Quad Cities, as well as on KCCI.com, the KCCI 8 News YouTube page and Very Local, KCCI parent Hearst Television’s streaming service. ”This primary election is already influencing the future of Iowa politics,” said KCCI President and General Manager Brian Sather. “Hosting these debates is part of our commitment to informing Iowans as they make decisions at the ballot box. Voters deserve direct access to the candidates and the issues that matter.”Candidates will give opening and closing statements and have one minute to answer questions from the moderator team and from viewers across the state. “Iowa voters deserve a clear, side-by-side look at the candidates and where they stand,” said KCCI News Director Natalie Cabieses. “At KCCI, we are serious about our commitment to serve this state with meaningful, fact-driven coverage. We are proud to bring these conversations directly to Iowans as they prepare to vote.”
KCCI, Iowa’s News Leader, will host a U.S. Senate primary debate as part of its Commitment 2026 political coverage ahead of the June 2 primary. The primetime debate, featuring the two Democrats hoping to earn their party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, will air on digital channel KCCI 8.1 at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14.
The candidates participating in the U.S. Senate primary debate are state Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs and state Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville. The two are running to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst as Iowa’s junior senator. Ernst’s retirement after two terms leaves a Senate seat open for the first time since 2014.
The candidates will face each other at KCCI’s studios in Des Moines. KCCI chief political reporter Amanda Rooker and Gray Media’s Iowa political director Dave Price will ask them about the issues that matter most to Iowans, including the growing cost of living, immigration policies and foreign policy.
The debates will also be available on air and on digital platforms statewide on Gray Media’s KCRG in Cedar Rapids, KTIV in Sioux City and KWQC in the Quad Cities, as well as on KCCI.com, the KCCI 8 News YouTube page and Very Local, KCCI parent Hearst Television’s streaming service.
“This primary election is already influencing the future of Iowa politics,” said KCCI President and General Manager Brian Sather. “Hosting these debates is part of our commitment to informing Iowans as they make decisions at the ballot box. Voters deserve direct access to the candidates and the issues that matter.”
Candidates will give opening and closing statements and have one minute to answer questions from the moderator team and from viewers across the state.
“Iowa voters deserve a clear, side-by-side look at the candidates and where they stand,” said KCCI News Director Natalie Cabieses. “At KCCI, we are serious about our commitment to serve this state with meaningful, fact-driven coverage. We are proud to bring these conversations directly to Iowans as they prepare to vote.”
