(Radio Iowa) – The three candidates campaigning for the Iowa Democratic Party’s 2026 U-S Senate nomination are criticizing the deal that may end the federal government shutdown. Eight Democrats joined Republican senators last (Sunday) night on a vote to advance a plan to fund the government and the Senate’s G-O-P leader promises a vote by the second week in December on the health care subsidies that have been the major sticking point in negotiations.

State Representative Josh Turek of Council Bluffs says the deal does not include protections for the Affordable Care Act subsidies that will expire for up to 125-thousand Iowans on December 31st.  “I believe that health care is a human right,” Turek said, “and we need legislators that are going to fight for it.” State Senator Zach Wahls of Coralville says Senate Democrats should not cave on something of this magnitude.

“Iowa needs a senator who doesn’t work for Chuck Schumer or for Donald Trump or the billionaires, we need a senator who works for us,” Wahls said. Nathan Sage of Indianola, a veteran and the former director of Knoxville’s chamber of commerce, says millions of Americans who depend on the health care subsidies face soaring health care premiums.”People need a life where they can actually afford the food and afford the health care they need,” Sage said, “and it seems like we don’t have leadership that’s willing to fight for that.”

The three candidates spoke last (Sunday) night at an Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser. Rita Hart, the party’s chair, spoke with reporters after the event. She’s skeptical Republicans will ever vote to extend the health care subsidies. “Where is their plan?” Hart said. “For them to promise things without a real concrete way to cash in on that, I think that’s really difficult.” During last (Sunday) night’s fundraiser, Hart said Democrats won national races last week and in special legislative elections in Iowa this year by focusing on kitchen table issues.

“Now is the time for Democrats to stand up with their fellow Iowans and say: Time for Change!'” Hart said, drawing cheers from the crowd. “Time for change! Stand up!” Hart also announced that after a two-year effort, the party has filled local leadership roles in about a dozen counties — and now has a chair in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.

The crowd made cash donations for food banks last night and the party plans to host events around the state to collect food for food banks and food pantries.