Zach Wahls Wins Iowa Primary Years After Defending His Lesbian Mothers In Front of State Legislature

It was in 2011 that the Iowa state legislature, and later the nation, had its first run-in with Zach Wahls. The then-19-year-old University of Iowa student spoke during a public forum defending his same-sex parents as the state attempted to define marriage. Wahls, well-spoken and insightful, argued against the proposed amendment to the Iowan constitution, emanating the values that his mothers instilled in him.

Now, some seven years later, Wahls is hoping to return to the Iowan state capitol, this time as a state legislator. After winning his primary on Tuesday, Wahls, now 26, will face off against libertarian candidate Carl Krambeck for Iowa Senate District 37 seat in November. "I think it's a sign people here are hungry for new blood in the Iowa Legislature and are ready for the next generation of leadership," said Wahls to The Gazette. "It means a lot to me the community is trusting me with that leadership role."

Wahls ran on a platform similar to other democrats vying for the party's nomination, but he wielded his name recognition to his advantage from the onset of his campaign and now it seems his charisma may take him all the way.