Amy Adams currently serves as the co-chair of the Fayette County Democrats and has worked with a variety of Iowa-based grassroots organizations for the past eight years. She is a wife and mother of three living in rural northeast Iowa. 

Vice President Kamala Harris closing the gap with former President Donald Trump in Iowa isn’t just about President Joe Biden stepping aside as the Democratic nominee. Harris is a great candidate and brings energy to the race, but the change is also about the dedicated work happening at the grassroots level.

Across the state, county Democratic parties are stepping up to engage voters, and their efforts are starting to pay off.

In counties like Dubuque and Scott, robust door-knocking programs are connecting volunteers with voters in their neighborhoods. These face-to-face conversations are critical in building relationships, explaining key issues, and providing information about Democratic candidates up and down the ticket. By having real conversations at the doorstep, local Democrats are reaching voters where they are, addressing their concerns, and making sure they know how vital their vote is in this election.

Counties like Wapello (in southeast Iowa, including the Ottumwa area) and Adams (rural southwest Iowa) are taking a creative approach to postcard outreach. Volunteers are personally writing to voters, sharing why this election matters and urging them to get involved. Volunteers are focusing on the policy impacts of this election and the rights and freedoms at stake for Iowans, especially women if extreme policies like Project 2025 are put into place.

This kind of targeted, personal engagement makes a big difference in reconnecting with voters. Many haven’t been contacted since 2018 or even longer. It’s one more way Iowa Democrats are reaching out to neighbors in their communities. Whether rural and red or blue strongholds, it’s not just these counties I mentioned, others are organizing for change locally in a variety of ways.

Fayette County has volunteers knocking on doors, sending postcards to inactive voters, and has developed a women-to-women postcard messaging strategy to communicate the importance of voting this year and resisting the urge to sit this election out. We are proud to have most ballot positions filled in the local and state level races, something that hasn’t happened since 2018.

While out canvassing there was a yard sign up for “Biden Harris 2020” on a lawn. A conversation with the homeowner revealed he was a two-time Trump voter who said he “wasn’t making that mistake again.” He had planned to vote for Biden and was disappointed to see him drop out, but now planned to vote for Harris.

Iowans like that voter are fed up with the divisiveness and chaos coming from the far-right. There are real issues not being addressed and these folks are hungry for change and to be heard. The first Harris-Walz sign from our county was placed in the man’s yard.

This cycle there has been an influx of volunteers—especially women—who have stepped up to get involved. Whether it’s knocking on doors, writing postcards, or organizing community events, these women are energized and determined. They are committed to educating their neighbors about the issues that matter, from protecting Social Security and Medicare to ensuring reproductive rights, affordable healthcare, and public education. Their hard work is a big part of why Democrats are seeing momentum in traditionally red areas.

When we lost the first in the nation caucus, we lost much of the infrastructure building that came with national campaign organizing staff. It’s inspiring to see so many county party leaders and grassroots activists take on this task of building organizing models that best fit their needs to reach voters in their own communities. It’s not just about top-tier candidates; it’s about building a strong foundation in every county, with every voter, and for every office on the ballot. As Iowa’s county parties continue to expand their outreach and build networks of volunteers, we’re seeing a real opportunity to build support and flip seats at the local and state levels.

Harris brings energy to the campaign at a national level, and this certainly impacts how people view candidates this election cycle. But the narrowing gap between Harris and Trump in Iowa also reflects the power of grassroots organizing taking place across the state to inform voters and encourage turnout.

There’s something happening here in Iowa, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.

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Photos provided by Amy Adams of Democratic volunteers in Fayette County. Canvassing in Oelwein:

Writing postcards:

A fundraiser for Lou Ann Milks for County Supervisor and Kamala Harris at Heaven Boutique Winery in Fayette.

Democratic National Convention watch party at Ampersand Tap Room in Oelwein:

Tabling at the West Union 175th celebration in September: