WATCH: From Instagram activism to running for Iowa Senate (w/ Catelin Drey) (PT 2) – Cornhole Champions #36

Can Democrats win in deep-red western Iowa? As Republicans dominate rural districts, one mom is betting that grassroots organizing and door-to-door conversations can flip a seat that hasn’t seen Democratic representation in years.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith sits down with Catelin Drey, the 37-year-old founder of Moms for Iowa, who’s running in a special election for Iowa Senate District 1 in Sioux City.

Toss some bags at “no” tax on tips… merit pay for teachers… a Sioux City special election next week… and a new candidate taking on US Rep. Ashley Hinson.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 – Democrats Beating Odds in Rural Iowa Districts
01:30 – How “Moms for Iowa” Instagram Account Started a Movement
03:30 – From Phone Calls to Running for Office (The Gulf)
04:30 – Uvalde Shooting Sparks Mom’s Political Awakening
07:00 – “When You Need a Mess Cleaned Up, You Send Mom”
09:00 – School Voucher Fight That Changed Everything
12:00 – Why Losing Rural Schools Destroys Communities
14:30 – Special Election Strategy: Knocking Every Door

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