Iowa Caucus

Four and a half years ago, a group of friends and I gathered around a table in a downtown Des Moines bar to brainstorm what a new Iowa political blog could look like. I had just gotten finished with yet another exhausting campaign cycle, and was ready to do something different. We had a good…

Can the Iowa Democratic family avoid a repeat of the 2016 family feud that seriously fractured party unity?Because the Sanders-Clinton race was so close that year, there was a plethora of hard feelings and theories about unfair or a rigged result in the 2016 caucuses. Some argue that the deep division dampened support for Hillary…

Senator Amy Klobuchar has so far seen a lower national profile in the 2020 race than some Midwestern Democrats may have hoped. But Iowa is her home field advantage. As more than a few candidates for president have already said – mostly in defense of their own lackluster standings in polls – that this race…

Guest post from former AFSCME Council 61 political director Marcia Nichols. Endorsing a presidential candidate is not a decision I take lightly. However, when we’re facing the most consequential election of our lifetimes, I think it’s incredibly important that we get this decision right. Which is why I have decided to support Cory Booker for…

A guest post from State Representative Liz Bennett. Nothing says quintessential Iowa summer quite like candidates and corn. Every year Progress Iowa, a statewide advocacy organization, hosts their Corn Feed, a fun-filled event featuring progressive speakers. This year I’m excited that the Corn Feed will move to Cedar Rapids, and I’m pleased to help host…

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are locked in a tie in Iowa atop the large field of Democrats running for the presidential nomination. An Iowa Starting Line/Change Research Poll of 615 likely Democratic caucus-goers that was conducted this past week, May 15 to May 19, found both Biden and Sanders garnering 24% among the Democratic…

From IDP Vice Chair Andrea Phillips, who organized this year’s 2020 book club. Iowa Democrats take their role in vetting the 2020 presidential candidates seriously. I started a book club to read the books of all of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, and over 500 people have joined so far from all across Iowa (plus…

With a presidential field that now numbers 23, Democratic candidates need every tiny advantage they can find in Iowa to deliver them delegates on caucus night. For a lucky few contenders, they come to the state with a special connection in their pocket thanks to long-established friendships, past organizational building, or a family bond. And,…

A guest post from Mills County County Democratic Party Chair Donna Crum. A recent fact check by The Washington Post reported that President Donald Trump has told at least 10,000 falsehoods since taking the oath to uphold our nation’s highest office. As Americans, we cannot allow this to become the new normal because this election…

A nonstop parade of presidential candidates has visited the good people of Iowa nearly every day this year. Turn around any weekend in a major Iowa county and you’re likely to bump into a White House hopeful. However, not every corner of the state has received the same amount of 2020 attention, nor have the…