Hey Iowa Democrats. This is a very important election cycle and I want us to have a place to work together, or at least have a place to check in with each other over the next few months. I know that there are a lot of organizations and groups around the state working for Dems and supporting Dems this fall. While I’m certainly not trying to turn Iowa Kos into an organizing tool this year, I would like for Iowa Kossacks to have a place to call home.
If you live in Iowa, or have your heart (or pieces thereof) here then I would love for you to join the group. It has been a very long year for me and I haven’t been able to give this group the attention it needs to get through the membership collection/recruitment and coalition building phase. That changes today. Beginning in August, I am going to post a weekly roundup/ shout out on Sundays. Look for me in the early afternoons.
Again, my short term goal is to gather Iowa Kossacks old and new together in discussion about the upcoming election. If we can work together to organize in real space then that is a bonus this election season. But there is another election cycle approaching as well in 2020, a yuge freakin deal as they might say on the East Coast. I would really like for us to be able to share experiences and ideas leading into the next presidential season.
Governor
I know that Fred Hubbell isn’t the dictionary definition of a liberal Democrat but he is a damn sight better than another Branstad/ Reynolds term. We need to figure out how to get people excited enough about him to come out and vote. Part of that, in my opinion, is working for the entire Democratic slate this fall. All four congressional districts have a reason to support the effort to turn our delegation blue.
House of Representatives
Each of the districts is running a Democrat that we can get behind. JD Scholten is giving King a run for his money in the 4th. Cindy Axne in the 3rd has many experts calling the race a toss up. Dave Loebsack in the 2nd is going to need all the support he can get to keep his seat. And Rod Blum’s Tea Party brand of Republicanism is being challenged by Abby Finenauer in the 1st.
There is a good chance that we could make half of our delegation female and Democrat and keep Loebsack’s seat in the bargain. This is a future that we need to be working towards. Hell, we might even be able to help Scholten in the 4th. It’s worth the time and effort.
Looking Forward
Iowa Democrats can find their stride and turn our entire delegation around. Iowa Kos could be a part of that, even if it’s just a place for us to keep in touch with one another. And going into the future we could use this group to keep abreast of the Presidential caucus action as it begins to take shape. Iowa deserves our attention these next few years. Let’s stand up together and be counted.
Action Item
Let’s get some people together! Spread the word here and in your various social media groups. There is no telling what may come from this group but I would love to make it an important place for Progressive voices in the state. So the most important thing on our docket is to grow “membership”.
My challenge to you is twofold: join IowaKos and find two more people to join also. Let’s see what we can do together!