Progress Iowa Hosts First Big 2020 Cattle-Call

Progress Iowa has an impressive line-up of speakers for their holiday party on December 20. Progress Iowa is the largest progressive online organization in Iowa with over 75,000 followers. This is their sixth annual holiday event. It will feature four national progressive leaders and potential presidential candidates. It’s a varied mix of speakers with a mayor, U.S. Senator, Congressman and successful entrepreneur. It will also offer attendees the opportunity to hear from both of Iowa’s Congresswomen-elect, Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer.

“We’re thrilled to welcome a great group of progressive leaders to Iowa,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “It’s going to be a fun night and provide a lot of energy for progressives after the midterm election. We are ready to continue our efforts to stand up for our shared values and push back against the dangerous direction conservatives want to take us, whether it’s in Washington or right here in Iowa. And with this lineup we know we’ll be fired up heading into the new year.”

In addition to Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer, the event will feature Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, California Representative Eric Swalwell, and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

Major Buttigieg is a rising star in the Democratic Party. The Washington Post called him “the most interesting Mayor you’ve never heard of” and the New York Times ran a column saying that he could be the nation’s “first gay president.” President Obama has said Buttigieg represents the future of the Democratic Party.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley was first elected in 2008. He is eyeing a run for the presidency but is also up for reelection to the Senate in 2020. Oregon law doesn’t allow candidates to run for two offices simultaneously so he will need to choose one or the other. Merkley has been an outspoken opponent to President Trump’s immigration policies. He has been an environmental leader supporting the move toward 100% renewable energy by 2050. Merkley has been a champion for working families throughout his career.

California Congressman Eric Swalwell has become a major spokesman for the Democratic Party as a member of the House Intelligence Committee.  With the Democrats in control of the House, investigating the Russian interference in American elections will likely increase in importance. He is the founder and chair of Future Forum tasked to reach out to millennials. He is also co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee that helps set the caucus’ policy agenda.

Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur and author. He has announced he is running for President as a Democrat in 2020. He founded Venture for America in 2011, a national entrepreneurship fellowship, that has helped create almost 3000 jobs in cities throughout the country. He is making the promotion of Universal Basic Income a major theme of his campaign.

These four speakers plus Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer will give Iowa progressive activists a night to celebrate the 2018 election and talk about future policy issues critical to their agenda.

The 6th Annual Progress Iowa Holiday Party will be held on December 20 at the Temple for Performing Arts, 1011 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by going to the Progress Iowa home page.

by Rick Smith
Posted 12/12/18