Iowa Progressives: Go Impactful or Go Home When It Comes to Governors

I have been a follower of Iowa politics since I moved to the state in 1999 and cut my teeth at the Cedar County Democrats caucus in 2000. No doubt about it, I understand why some folks have a love/hate relationship with politics. It is messy business when it should be about choosing leaders that exemplify our better natures. But here is the thing, we could end up with a known quantity who is objectively horrible in acting Governor Kim Reynolds, we could put up a slightly left-centrist to run against her, or we could stand up for what we believe Iowa needs in a leader. As is the nature of politics, the best-organized campaigns have a substantial leg up and, as it shapes up, there are four choices among the Democrats in that department.

• Nate Boulton: A state senator and labor attorney who is backed by labor, and a rising star among young Iowa Democrats, currently, he is trailing in the polls within his party and among all Iowans. He has said reversing the collective bargaining agreement is a key part of his run for Governor. Living in Des Moines, but raised in Columbus Junction, Boulton has the story that many Iowans are familiar with and comfortable.

• Fred Hubbell: Political newbie with deep pockets and the lead in public polls for the governor's office among Democrats, Hubbell has a unique story and brings the business acumen that Iowans are comfortable. He is Pro-Choice, Pro-Business, Pro-Iowa and another Native Son. He is for sensible gun laws given he was once held hostage overseas.

• Andy McGuire: Former head of the Iowa Democratic Party, medical doctor turned healthcare executive with Wellmark and American Enterprise, McGuire is for bringing healthcare back under state government and assisted by private insurers, is pro-choice, and feels that listening to the needs of rural Iowa is the way to go in addressing water and air quality issues. Another native of Iowa from Waterloo who has lived in other states.

• Cathy Glasson: Another labor candidate who is also a labor leader, but with a larger agenda that Boulton, McGuire, or Hubbell. She wants to make $15 the state minimum wage, she wants a single-payer public healthcare system, she wants polluters to pay for cleaning up the air and water quality mess. She wants to restore union bargaining rights, she wants to raise the legal age to own a gun in Iowa to 21 and wants to improve public education in Iowa. None of these are small things. 

The two other candidates, Ross Wilburn and John Norris both seasoned in the political arenas and more left-centrist (Wilburn) or rural-rooted progressive (Norris) than the above but trailing badly in the money game with no time to change the game. Their hopes lie in none of the top four candidates garnering the magical 35% they need to win the primary outright and force the choice to a state convention where compromise could work to at least one of their favors as either queen/kingmaker or possible Lt. Governor prospect. 

While any of the six candidates would be head and shoulders above Reynolds, there is always the chance that they will turn out to be the next Chet Culver, hurting the very people that got them there and being blander than margarine so as not to offend. My hope is that the Democrats choose to think impact over the lackluster "aw shucks, I'm just plain folks" approach that has failed them election after election.

I think that it is actually time that Iowans elect a leader who has impact in mind and is willing to work hard and connect with people to make that happen. For me, Cathy Glasson is that type of candidate. She swings for the fences in her goals and in a place where we like our field of dreams, she might be the right person, in the right place, at the right time to get it done. Of course, she'll need help down the line in the House and Senate, but that will come from the one trait that any of these folks will need to win, the ability to organize and turn out the vote. 

Potential Iowa Governors on Parade

The six Democrat gubernatorial candidates debated last evening on IPT for 90 minutes. It was at times lively and informative. Themes that stood out, candidates were running against Kim Reynolds and running against Fred Hubbell, the current front-runner in the polls. Other themes were connecting with voters who feel disconnected from Iowa politics, the problems of health care particularly mental health care and health care for women, water quality, and wages and workers rights.

On the face:
 Former Chief of Staff  John Norris: Portrayed himself as the most experienced Democrat in terms of his political bona fides with experiences that span national and state politics.
Former businessman Fred Hubbell: Presented his family history, business, and philanthropy and volunteer experiences. State Sen. Nate Boulton: set his frame around the workers of Iowa both as a lawyer and State Senator.
Former state Democratic Party chair Dr. Andy McGuire: Made the case for her service in caring for others as a doctor and health care executive leader.
Former mayor Ross Wilburn: Brought out his 12 years in elected politics and his experiences in the Army, in economic development, and his diverse family and issues around LGBTQ.
ICU Nurse Cathy Glasson: Made the case for her working-class roots, a labor leader and being the alternative progressive candidate to the other five with the fight for $15 minimum wage and single-payer health care.

Priorities for each;
Norris: Fund Education/Reverse privatization, reverse tax cuts
Boulton: Repeal Collective Bargaining bill, reverse privatized Medicaid
Glasson: Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour, reverse tax cuts, "Iowans need a raise" to bring in tax revenue, "Unemployment low, but the Misery Index is high"
Wilburn: Mental Health and Education K-12, higher education, anti-trafficking, reverse Medicaid privatization
McGuire: Healthcare around Medicaid mess and mental health care
Hubbell: Reverse privatization of Medicaid on day one; fully fund pre-k and public education, reverse wasteful tax giveaways, unfunded priorities, mismanagement of the budget

All but Glasson for 3/8 tax for water quality funding; Glasson wants taxes on Big Ag for nitrogen, CAFOS, etc. Other echoed Hubbell in essentially saying "Water Quality is an Iowan problem" and tax addresses it for all.

Electability X-Factors:
Hubbell: (Hit  - Never elected, rich/out of touch):  Been all  over the state, better education, better healthcare, incomes go up; getting results in public/private life
Boulton: (Hit - too young): New generation of leadership, labor support, vision for the state
Glasson: (Hit - too liberal): highlighted bold, progressive women candidates winning, proud of attacks against her because of support of single payer, raising the minimum wage, and vision moving us ahead
McGuire: (Hit - Head of the party that lost under leadership): Upset over Republican agenda, worked hard to win as state Democratic Party leader but could not overcome the national tide
Norris: (Hit: Lack of fundraising ability): Running the gauntlet of other candidates for funding, if he wins the primary, it would be from fundraisers who support Hubbell, Boulton, Glasson
Wilburn: (Hit: Elected in most liberal town/county in Iowa): Wasn't progressive enough/was too liberal; Been in many parts of the state, rural Iowans concerned about water and making a living

More on the debate summary can also be found on The Iowa Starting Line website.