The field for one of the more surprising midterm battlegrounds is set, as nominees for Iowa's competitive Senate and House races have been decided though the governor's race is still outstanding.Democrats and Republicans alike are paying close attention to the Hawkeye State's politics and how voters are responding to candidates' pitches – and a national political environment where President Trump, Congress and the Democratic Party all face record-low approval ratings.Iowa is also a state where Trump administration policies like tariffs and the war in Iran disproportionately impact farmers, and is a state governed by Republicans but has voted for Democrats in recent federal and state elections.That includes current state Auditor Rob Sand, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for governor and is currently outraising Republican competitors in a race that experts say starts off as a true tossup.For Democrats, the Senate primary presented dueling visions of the party's future direction outside of blue bastions.State Rep.
Josh Turek defeated state Sen.Zach Wahls, according to an Associated Press race call.Turek represents a Trump-won district in the state House and has the backing of establishment Democratic figures like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former Sen.
Tom Harkin, who held the seat until retiring in 2015.Wahls represents a deep blue state senate seat and had endorsements from several labor unions, progressive organizations and Massachusetts Sen.Elizabeth Warren.Nationally and locally, Democrats express optimism that Trump's unpopularity and Turek's background will help win the seat in a quest to flip control of the U.S.
Senate.Turek faces Republican Rep.
Ashley Hinson, who faced a nominal challenger in Tuesday's primary and has Trump's endorsement.For Republicans, a messy five-person contest seeking to replace outgoing Gov.Kim Reynolds led to frequent urging from party officials to unify after the primary.Last week, Trump continued h...