Interest
Groups
in
the
Iowa
Caucuses
(updated
December
29,
2015)
Groups pushing a diverse range of issues and political perspectives
have staff and supporters on the ground in Iowa. They are
attending candidate events and asking questions, tracking candidates,
and inviting candidates to events of their own. The odds are that
there are representatives of one or two of these groups at almost any
candidate event. Some of the groups have multiple staff and
and an office (or offices), while others are overseen by a consultant
or consultants. Some have parallel efforts in New Hampshire, and
less often in South Carolina and Nevada. If you see any groups
missing
please email.
See also: Press Releases
America
Rising
tracker
American
Bridge
21st
Century
multiple trackers
AARP
Iowa
Headquarters: 600
East Court Ave., Suite 100, Des Moines,
IA 50309
states.aarp.org/region/iowa
"AARP is a
nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people
age 50 and over have independence, choice and control in ways that are
beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole, ways that
help people 50 and over improve their lives."
"AARP is
engaging candidates and voters in discussions on how to strengthen
Social Security..."
State Director Kent Sovern
(July 2011) President of New Iowa Group, Jan.
2008-July 2011; also executive director of the Iowa Parks Foundation,
Dec. 2008-June 2011. Executive director of the Des Moines Higher
Education Collaborative, Dec. 2004-Dec. 2007. Senior vice
president at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, 1994-2004.
Masters in education administration from Iowa State University, 1979;
B.S. in elementary education from Culver Stockton College, 1973. @ksovern
AFSCME
for Hillary
Offices: Des
Moines and Ames ...reported by DMR on Nov. 17, 2015
Alzheimer's
Association
act.alz.org/ia2016
"We are
growing a
movement across Iowa with advocates sharing their
stories with the presidential candidates, the media, and circulating
our petition.
When presidential candidates travel around Iowa we want them to be
thinking about Alzheimer’s disease and how their presidencies could
directly impact the goal of finding a treatment or cure by 2025.
Ultimately, we want to know what each candidate will do to commit their
administrations to ending Alzheimer's if elected."
Caucus Project Coordinator Emily Holley
(March 2015) Clerk for state Sen. Rob Hogg,
Jan.-May 2011.
Regional organizer for One Iowa, Sept. 2009-June 2010. Field
organizer for the Obama campaign in central Minnesota (2nd CD),
June-Nov. 2008. Iowa political organizer for the Arab American
Institute, May 2007-Jan. 2008. M.P.A. in public policy analysis,
health care from Drake University, 2015; B.A. in political science,
sociology from Luther College, 2007. @emilyholley
American
Friends
Service
Committee
-
Governing
Under
the
Influence
(GUI)
Headquarters: 4211 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
gui.afsc.org/location/iowa
AFSC's
"Governing Under the Influence" project seeks to highlight "the
corrupting
influence of
corporate dollars in the political process and
in policy making." The effort is focused on the early states of
Iowa and New Hampshire, and is built on grassroots engagement and
education. Staff and volunteers "bird dog" potential
candidates and candidates at events on the campaign trail, asking
pointed questions and reporting the reponses.
Program Coordinator Kathleen
McQuillen
McQuillen has worked for 22 years with AFSC focusing
on immigrants' rights and peacebuilding. Previously she worked in
factories and was active with the United Steelworkers and the Iron
Workers Union. Graduate of Upper Iowa University.
Grassroots Education Coordinator Kevin Rutledge
(Oct. 2014) Also a youth counselor at Woodward
Academy from Aug. 2012. B.S. in sociology and criminal justice
from Iowa State University, 2012. @krutledge711
Americans
for
Peace
Prosperity
and
Security
(APPS)
peaceprosperitysecurity.org/iowa/
"We
will identify, educate and activate citizens on
timely foreign
policy issues. APPS will be the only organization connecting top
foreign policy and business leaders with the grassroots activists
driving the debate with the candidates in early presidential contest
states. We seek to impact international engagement with a local,
grassroots understanding. At forums and townhalls in these states,
educated, volunteer activists will push candidates to fully outline
their policies on major issues such as Iran, Russia and China to ISIS,
space and cyber."
Iowa Advisory Board
(announced
Feb. 5, 2015) includes
Lt. General Ron Dardis, former
Adjutant General, Iowa National Guard (1999-2009) (Johnston)
Dr.
Sam Clovis, retired Colonel, U.S.
Air Force; 2014 Republican nominee for Iowa State Treasurer
(Hinton)
Matt
Strawn, former Chairman,
Republican Party of Iowa (2009-2012) (Ankeny)
Americans
for
Prosperity
Iowa
Headquarters:
8033 University Blvd., Clive
americansforprosperity.org/iowa
|
@afpiowa
"AFP Iowa has
over 45,000 activists across the state
who take action every day on behalf of the free market movement and
influence decision makers. Whether it’s calling members of Congress,
gathering with fellow activists, or attending an event in their
community—AFP activists are making a difference in the fight against
big government on the local and national level."
State Director Drew Klein
(announced as state director on Nov. 12, 2014)
Klein was previously deputy state director from May 2014, and he ran
AFP's 2012 field effort, starting in March 2012. Faith leader on
Michele Bachmann's Iowa Caucus campaign. Organizational director
for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition. B.A. in political
science from Drake University, 2009. Iowa native, born and raised
in Newton. @Klein_Drew
America's
Renewable
Future,
Inc.
americasrenewablefuture
|
@AR-Future
|
facebook
"America’s Renewable Future is
a coalition of companies, organizations and individuals, committed to
pushing presidential candidates in both parties to support the
commonsense, bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard." (+)
Co-Chairs
Annette Sweeney (R),
former
state
representative
Patty
Judge (D), former lieutenant governor
Bill
Couser, Iowa renewable fuels industry leader
Eric Branstad
Owner and partner at Matchpoint Strategies,
a public relations and fundraising firm in Des Moines, from May
2011. Partner at Goldfinch Development proudly presents Thinklite
USA. @ebranstad
Derek Eadon
Founder/principal at Bluprint Strategies from Aug. 2013. Senior account executive at LS2group, March-Aug. 2013. Iowa general election director for Obama for America after serving as OFA's Iowa caucus director. Eadon directed Iowa Democrats' 2010 Coordinated Campaign. Iowa state director for Organizing for America in 2009. In the 2007-08 cycle he was the first field organizer hired in Iowa for Obama's campaign, and continued on the campaign through Nov. 2008. In 2006 he was a field organizer for the Iowa Democrats' Coordinated Campaign in the Cedar Rapids area. Attended the University of Iowa. Originally from Elmhurst, Ill. @derek_eadon
Concerned
Veterans
for
America
facebook
"Our
mission
is
to
advocate
for
policies
that
will
preserve
the
freedom,
prosperity
and
liberty
that
we
and
our
families
so
proudly fought and
sacrificed to defend. The goal of CVA is to translate the experience,
concerns and hopes unique to veterans and their families into a common
vision of freedom. We apply this unique perspective to speak out on the
issues that threaten to cripple not only our economic freedom and
national security, but also the spirit of opportunity and liberty that
Americans cherish...
"CVA believes that veterans and military families deserve to hear—face-to-face—from America’s leading policy makers and stakeholders. While there are many who would like us to think that care for military veterans is getting better, they are wrong – it's getting worse. That is why now, more than ever, it is important to ask our policy leaders the questions that matter to the veteran community."
State Director Flora Schmidt
(June 2015) Advisor and consultant to IWLC -
Iowa Women Lead
Change; Taylor for Iowa, 2012-May 2013. Executive officer at Home
Builders Association of Iowa, March 2002-June 2012. Marketing
consultant for Manchester Golf Club, 2000--02. Executive director
of the Iowa Plastics Industry Consortium, 1999-2001. Executive
director of the Manchester (IA) Area Chamber of Commerce,
1992-99. B.A. from Iowa State University. @FloraASchmidt
Concerned
Women
for
America
Headquarters:
P.O.
Box 616, Ankeny, IA 50021
www.cwfa.org/states/iowa
|
facebook
"Our
vision
at
CWA
of
Iowa
is
for
Godly,
committed
men
and
women
to
come
together
to
pray
for
our
state
leaders.
We
are
engaged
in
a
culture
war
to
restore
and
strengthen
the
traditional
family
to
its
created
purpose."
State Director Tamara Scott
Scott is the RNC committeewoman from Iowa and is a
lobbyist ("family advocate") for The FAMiLY Leader. @TamaraScott16
Every
Child Matters in Iowa
Headquarters:
400
E. Court Ave., Suite 126, Des Moines, IA 50309
everychildmatters.org/IOWA
|
@ECMIowa
"Every
Child
Matters
in
Iowa,
a
non-profit,
non-partisan
organization,
is
working
with
individuals
and
loal
and
statewide
groups
to
spotlight
children's
issues
and
help
ensure
that
every
child
has
what
he
or
she
needs
to
grow
up
healthy,
safe
and
well-educated."
State Director Kelli Soyer
(March 2015) Did work relating to the Affordable
Care Act to Jan. 2015. Executive director of the Iowa chapter of
the NASW
from May 2006-2013. Policy associate at the Child & Family
Policy
Center in Des Moines, April 2004-May 2006. M.S.W. from University
of Iowa, 2003; B.A. in psychology from the University of Iowa,
1994.
@KelliSoyer
Field
Organizer Jill Applegate
(March 2015) Also acting team lead and sales
associate for Vera
Bradley from July 2013. Community engagement specialist and
public ally for the Des Moines Community Action Agency, Nov. 2013-March
2015. B.A. in sociology and B.S. in psychology from Drake
University, 2013. Originally from Spencer, Iowa.
The
FAMiLY Leader
ffciowa.com | @thefamillyleader
| facebook
"The FAMiLY LEADER champions
the principle that God is the ultimate
leader of the family. Our goal at The FAMiLY LEADER is to honor and
glorify God – not a political party, not a candidate, and not a
program. The FAMiLY LEADER is a Christ-centered organization that leads
with humility and service to strengthen and protect the family."
- Engage churches, civic influencers, and Christian citizens with
truthful, consistent information
- Equip pastors to
address social issues from a biblical perspective
- Strengthen marriages
through marriage mentoring and education
- Protect and defend
family values by influencing public policy,
campaigns, and elections
- Provide free legal
counsel to families, churches, and schools in
cases of religious discrimination
- Develop civic,
church, social, and family leaders, including the
cultivation of Christian statesmen
President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats
(from Nov. 2010) Candidate for the 2010
Republican
gubernatorial nomination, finishing second to Terry Branstad, 50.3% to
40.9%. Iowa state chair on Mike Huckabee's 2007-08 Iowa caucus
campaign. Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006,
after competing against Jim Nussle for the 2006 Republican
gubernatorial nomination. Candidate for the 2002 Republican
gubernatorial nomination, fnishing third: Doug Gross, 35.9%, Steve
Sukup, 32.4%, Bob Vander Plaats 31.7%. President of MVP
Leadership, Inc. President and CEO of Opportunities Unlimited
(rehabilitative services to young adults) from 1996. Principal at
Sheldon High School. Principal at Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn High
School. Teacher and coach at Jefferson High School. Teacher
at Boone High School. Undergraduate degree from Northwestern
College in Orange City. Masters and specialist degrees in
educational leadership from Drake University. Author of Light
from
Lucas
(Tyndale
House Publishers, Feb. 2007) and If 7:14…An Urgent Call
for
Revival…It’s Time (2013). @bobvanderplaats
First
Budget
firstbudget.org/about-first-budget/first-budget-in-iowa
"First Budget is raising
public awareness of the dangers posed by the nation’s unsustainable
budget policies and making solving this problem a high priority for the
2016 presidential candidates, focusing on the early nominating contests
in Iowa and New Hampshire." [First Budget is joint effort by
Concord Coalition and Fix the Debt, announced Jan. 22, 2015 +]
State Director Sara Imhof
Director of education and grassroots advocacy for The
Concord Coalition
from July 2008. Adjunct faculty at The University of Iowa from Aug.
2011. Consultant to the Iowa Counties Public Health Association,
Jan. 2012-Dec. 2013. Senior analyst for the U.S. Government
Accountability Office, June 2005-July 2008. Hospital development
for the Iowa Donor Network/Iowa Lions Eye Bank, June 1994-Aug.
1998. Ph.D. in health policy from University of Iowa, 2006.
Iowa
Faith & Freedom Coalition
ffciowa.com
|
facebook
"We stand for
integrity in government, high moral values,
constitutional authority, and Christian principles. Our purpose is to
educate and influence voters and politicians to keep their commitment
to both liberty and law; that America may continue to be one nation
under God. We are not tied to any political party."
President Steve Scheffler
RNC committeeman from Iowa, first elected in July
2008 and re-elected in June 2012, based in West Des Moines.
Worked on Steve Forbes'
1999-2000 Iowa caucus
campaign. Operative for the Christian Coalition. A key
figure in Pat Robertson's 1987-88 Iowa caucus
campaign, led the Americans for Robertson Presidential Exploratory
Committee. Sold insurance for 14 years. Iowa resident since
1970. Graduate of Nebraska Christian.
Iowa
Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
www.iowaaflcio.org
|
facebook
Affiliated membership is
around 50,000 in roughly 500 locals; organized into 14 regional labor
councils. The largest affiliates are AFSCME, IBEW, USW and CWA.
President Ken D. Sagar
President since Feb. 1, 2008.
Secretary-Treasurer of the Federation from Aug. 1997-Jan. 2008.
Business manager/financial secretary of IBEW, Local Union 204,
1985-97. President of the Iowa Utility Workers Conference from
1987-97 and President of the Iowa State Conference, IBEW from
1989-97. Employee of Iowa Electric Light and Power Company at the
Sutherland Generation Station near Marshalltown, 1975-85. @kensagarifl
Secretary-Treasurer Charles J. Wishman
Elected Secretary-Treasurer in Jan. 2012.
Started at the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO in September of 2011 as
communications director. Communications specialist for AFSCME
Iowa Council 61, 2009-Sept. 2011. Community organizer and
lobbyist for Iowa Citizen Action Network from 2006-09. Community
liaison for the Food Bank of Iowa, 2003-06. Currently is a member
of AFT Local 716; former member of IAM Local 254, AFSCME Locals 3450
and 2023. @charliewishman
Iowa
Pays the Price
iowapaystheprice.org
|
facebook
"Iowa Pays the Price supports increasing transparency
in
campaign finance, accountability for those who break the rules, and
increasing participation in our democracy... Iowa Pays the Price is a project of Issue One, a national, bipartisan
organization dedicated to countering the overwhelming influence of big
money on our political system."
Co-Chairs
Brad Anderson,
Des Moines - former Obama for America state director and candidate for
Secretary of State [LinkStrategies]
Amanda Loomis, Ames - pre-law
senior majoring in economics
David Niffenegger, Des Moines -
nine-year veteran of the Army Guard and Reserve and former operations
director for Sam Clovis for Treasurer
Beverly Strayhall, Davenport -
Democratic activist, nurse, social worker and community leader
Campaign Director Ruth Lapointe
(June 2015) Field organizer on Bruce Braley for Iowa, April-Nov. 2014. B.A. in philosophy from University of Iowa, 2013. @ruth1lapointe
Iowa
State Education Association
Headquarters:
777 Third St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309
www.isea.org
"Everything we do -- from lobbying for
increased school resources to
reaching out to build community support for our schools -- is designed
to promote and support quality education. Together, we work to make
sure that Iowa's public schools remain vital and strong and that our
more than 500,000 students get nothing short of the best education
possible.
There are now
over 34,000 education
employees part of ISEA's education
family. Most of our members are classroom teachers and other licensed
professional staff, but we also have school support staff workers,
retired teachers, area education agency employees, community
college faculty, and future teachers among our ranks. We are an
integral part of the 3.2 million member National
Education Association ..."
Melissa Peterson
Government relations/research specialist is in charge of the ISEA's caucus project
Iowans
Supporting Israel
Headquarters: 1515 Linden
St., Suite 220, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
iowanssupporitngisrael.com
|
facebook
"As
Iowa has an important role in the quadrennial selection of our
President, we also have the responsibility to share what is important
to us as candidates and surrogates seek our support. Establishing an
effective, statewide organization in place will be important as the
next election grows closer. Yet, as we understand the ongoing
importance of Israel, we view this organization to be one that will be
sustaining through all electoral and caucus cycles."
Board of Directors Matt Strawn, Bud
Hockenberg, Mike Schreurs, Geri Huser
League
of Conservation Voters - Climate Action Iowa
Headquarters:
317 6th Ave., Suite 910, Des Moines,
IA 50309
Other Office: 702 S.
Gilbert St., Iowa City
@ClimateActionIA
| facebook
"Climate
Action Iowa is a project of League of
Conservation Voters that will use grassroots organizing to turn
environmental values into priorities for IA."
Field Director Tim Mahern-Macias
(June 2015) Started as a regional field director
in Iowa City, April 2014. Organizer for Physicians for Social
Responsibility in the Omaha area, March 2013-March 2014. Field
organizer for Organizing for America in Tacoma, WA, Aug.-Nov.
2012.
Assistant language teacher in Japan, Aug. 2008-April 2012. B.A.
in history from Creighton University, 2007.
National
Rural
Electric
Cooperative
Association
"The
national service organization for more than 900 not-for-profit rural
electric cooperatives and public power districts providing retail
electric service to more than 42 million consumers in 47
states and
whose retail sales account for approximately 12 percent of total
electricity sales in the United States."
Regional Manager, Rural Power Program Sam
Roecker
Roecker is a consultant at LinkStrategies
in Des Moines since Jan. 2013. Campaign manager on Dave O'Brien's
campaign for Congress in the 1st CD, Jan.-June 2014.
Communications director on Christie Vilsack for Iowa, March-Nov.
2012. Communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party, June
2010-March 2012. New media director for the Democratic Party of
Wisconsin, April 2009-June 2010. Executive producer at Clear
Channel Radio/Air America Radio, Nov. 2007-Feb. 2009. B.A.
degrees in journalism-strategic communications and political science
from Univesity of Wisconsin-Madison, 2010.
NextGen
Climate Iowa
Headquarters: 400 E. Court St., Des Moines
ia.nextgenclimate.org
| @nextgeniowa
| facebook
"NextGen
Climate
is committed to fighting climate change through political
action to preserve American health and prosperity for future
generations. Here in Iowa, farms and rural towns are already
feeling the impact of climate change in their wallets and on their
land, with record floods coming on the heels of a record drought.
NextGen Climate Iowa is here to empower our states's voters where it
matters most: at the polls. Our team is hitting the streets and
listening to folks like you to help us #WinOnClimate. We're here
to show polluters and special interests that Iowa's future is not for
sale."
State Director Zack Davis
(Jan. 2015) Started as field director for
NextGen Climate, May-Dec. 2014. State coordinator at Organizing
for Action, April 2013-May 2014. Development director for Support
Siouxland Soldiers, Feb.-April 2013. Regional field director in
Sioux City for Organizing for America / the Obama campaign,
2009-12. Field organizer in Iowa Falls on the Obama campaign,
May-Nov. 2008. Working towards an M.P.A. from Drake University;
B.A. in biochemistry from University of Iowa, 2008; A.S. from Muscatine
Community College, 2005. @zack_daybees
No
Labels
"The primary
goal of No Labels is to start a national movement that will culminate
in a Federal government that sees the presidential administration and
both houses of Congress working together to achieve mutually
agreed-upon goals that will solve the nation’s problems."
Four objectives:
-
Create 25 million new jobs over the next ten years
- Social Security and
Medicare for another 75 years
- Balance the federal
budget by 2030
- Make America energy
secure by 2024
Former State Director Peggy Huppert
(March
to Dec. 2015)
Senior market manager for community engagement (Sept.
2013-Feb. 2015), Minnesota state leadership director (Sept. 2012-Aug.
2013) and Iowa director of government relations (Jan. 2008-Oct. 2012)
for the American Cancer Society. State director at Iowans for
Sensible Priorities, Sept. 2005-Jan. 2008. Development director
for the Iowa Association of School Boards Foundation, March 2004-Aug.
2005. Executive director of the Chrysalis Foundation (serving
women and girls in Central Iowa), Jan. 2000-Dec. 2003. B.A. in
new-editorial journalism from Drake University, 1980.
...joined Bernie 2016 as a senior
consultant in Dec. 2015.
Partnership
to
Fight
Chronic
Disease-Iowa
www.fightchronicdisease.org/iowa
"...help our nation’s leaders – including the 2016 presidential
candidates
– address the growing epidemic of chronic disease and highlight
commonsense reforms that will help the nation address this challenge."
Co-Chairs Cathy Glasson -
president of SEIU Local 199
Jim
Henter
- president of the Iowa
Retail Fedeeration
Rev.
Sarai
Schnucker
Rice
-
executive director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council
Sherri
Nielsen - president and CDO
of Easter Seals Iowa
Protect
Internet Freedom
"We are a group focused on defending a free and open Internet, and preserving it as a tool for democratic distribution of information, societal change, and technological innovation... We recognize that the greatest threat to expanded Internet access and innovation is government censorship and red tape used to stifle freedom and creativity. Our mission is to keep that from happening, and keep the Internet free."
State Director Katie Ussery
(started xx) Digital sales manager for Reduce Data, from June 2014. Screener for Nationwide Insurance, Aug. 2012-June 2014. Youth/volunteer coordinator on McClintock for Congress, 2014. Studied politics and history at Drake University; president of Drake Young Americans for Liberty, Aug. 2012-Dec. 2013. @katiejoyussery
Save
the Children Action Network
MEMO
/ GRAPHIC
iowa
page
"Kids in the U.S. who participate in high-quality early childhood
education are more likely to succeed in school and in life. We’re
asking all presidential candidates to talk about what they would do to
expand access to early childhood education if they were elected."
Regional Mobilization Manager E.J. Wallace
ServiceNation
Iowa
www.servicenation.org/iowa
"The ServiceNation Coalition is comprised of organizations across the
country united in support for national service. The Coalition is using
grassroots action to demonstrate the impact of national service to our
nation’s leaders."
State Director Pete McRoberts
(from March 2012) Attorney at McRoberts Law
Office in West Des
Moines from Sept. 2011. Deputy press secretary in the Office of
Gov. Chet Culver and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, 2007-June 2010. Rural
representative for Congressman Bruce Braley, Jan.-Oct. 2007.
Candidate for Iowa House of Representatives, March-Nov. 2005.
Senate Caucus campaign manager for the Iowa Democratic Party,
2004. Mobile office staff member for Sen. Tom Harkin, 2001.
J.D. from Drake University Law School; undergraduate degree in
political science from University of Northern Iowa. Member of the
AmeriCorps National
Civilian Community Corps in Denver in
1994. From Northeastern Iowa.