Progress Iowa Hosts First Big 2020 Cattle-Call

On By rick-smith

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 […]

They’re Not Running, But They Could Shape The 2020 Debate In Iowa

On By prynard

Iowa saw more than its fair share of Democratic presidential hopefuls come through the state these past two years – more than two dozen by my count. But not every Democrat with a national profile who traveled to Iowa had their eyes on a White House run. And while several notable names won’t be candidates in the wild, free-for-all Iowa Caucus in 2020, their vision, work and influence here could easily shape how the nomination process plays out. Rising stars in Congress like Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal could help form the debate over what it means to be a […]

Michael Bloomberg Hints At What A 2020 Run Would Look Like

On By prynard

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made a swing through Iowa on Tuesday, increasing speculation he may run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. The official reason for Bloomberg’s trip was to highlight climate change solutions and unveil his new film on the subject, but it also served as an early preview of what a presidential bid might look like. That preview was pretty simple and clear-cut: a Bloomberg run would focus on climate change, gun safety, possibly opioid addiction and make calls for bi-partisanship. “We’ve got to have a government that faces the issues. You can’t […]

Cory Booker Wades Into An Iowa County Supervisor Race

On By prynard

Senator Cory Booker is lending a hand to a Democratic candidate for county supervisor in Iowa. Booker recorded a minute-long endorsement video for Royceann Porter, a Teamsters organizer and community leader who’s running in the special election for a Johnson County supervisor seat. If elected, Porter would be the first person of color elected to a countywide office in Johnson County. “[I’m] so excited about Royceann Porter, who is running on December 18th for a special election to be county supervisor,” Booker says in the video. “This is a critical election, we need folks to turn out and vote. Your […]

Planning A Run For President? First Protect New Medicare Part D Plan

On By guest-post

A guest post from Ro Foege, former state representative and AARP executive council member. The Iowa Caucuses are just around the corner, and presidential candidates will be flocking to the Hawkeye State in droves over the coming months, touting their voting record and stances on the issues, including healthcare. When it comes to prescription drug costs, opinions are abundantly clear across the U.S. – everyday Americans are being charged outrageous prices. Nobody should have to choose between buying food for their loved ones and paying for prescription drugs they need to keep themselves well. However, it is the reality that […]

Amy Klobuchar: Midwest Dems Won’t Be Left Behind Again

On By prynard

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar made a swing through Iowa this weekend to help boost some of her fellow Midwestern Democrats in important races. She noted at a canvass kick-off event with Cindy Axne that the party needed to refocus their attention to the region. “The other lesson we learned over the past two years is we’re not going to leave the Midwest behind,” Klobuchar said of Democrats’ past efforts. “This is the moment for the Midwest, and we don’t want to be forgotten again in a national election.” She ticked off a number of U.S. Senate races, like Joe Donnelly in […]

Kamala Harris Helps Take Deidre DeJear To The Finish Line

On By prynard

California Senator Kamala Harris made her big Iowa debut this week, barnstorming Central and Eastern Iowa over two days to boost Democratic candidates up and down the ticket. Among those candidates getting some help were Cindy Axne, Amber Gustafson and Heather Matson, but one Iowa Democrat got a lot of extra attention: Deidre DeJear. Democrats’ Secretary of State nominee was the first Iowa candidate that Harris endorsed back in August. DeJear has started to gain national attention for her historic bid (she would be Iowa’s first black statewide elected official if successful), but Harris and DeJear actually first met much […]

Author Marianne Williamson Quietly Tests The 2020 Waters In Iowa

On By prynard

While some of Democrats’ biggest national names crisscrossed Iowa in recent weeks to boost local candidates and prepare for 2020 runs, a small gathering in Polk City on Sunday night saw another side of the developing Democratic presidential field. Marianne Williamson, a best-selling author and activist from California, held a house party with local Democrats and personal fans to discuss her consideration of a presidential run. She’s one of several non-traditional candidates with unique appeals that may jump into the 2020 fray soon after the November election. Though not too well-known in Iowa or national political circles, Williamson does have […]

How John Delaney Is Directing His Iowa Efforts To Down-Ballot Dems

On By prynard

If Democrats learned anything from the past decade, it’s that holding the presidency while losing statehouses, governor’s mansions and Congress greatly limits your ability to accomplish anything. So, it’s been a delicate balance for 2020 hopefuls as they visit early states like Iowa. You want to introduce and promote yourself, while still helping out the candidates running in tough races this year. As one of just two declared Democratic candidates for president, Congressman John Delaney of Maryland has been in an unique position as he’s traveled Iowa. He doesn’t need to be coy about his intentions of why he’s in […]

Booker Sets The Bar High For 2020 Field After First Iowa Visit

On By prynard

Boone County Democratic activists didn’t know they were hosting a major event with Cory Booker until late this past Saturday. About 36 hours later, over 200 cheering people gave the New Jersey senator a hero’s welcome at a Monday mid-day rally in the small town of 12,000. When Booker entered the county party’s headquarters to an amped-up audience that was literally packed to the rafters, it felt like a real “moment.” Booker had gotten a lift to the event on congressional candidate J.D. Scholten’s “Sioux City Sue” RV. About a dozen people waited out on the sidewalk, peering down the […]