Bleeding Heartland
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 Bleeding Heartland

Who is the Future of the Democratic Party?

In 2003 hardly anyone outside of Illinois knew a state senator named Barack Obama.

Five years later he is the nominee for President of the Democratic Party.

What this shows is that there clearly is talent all over the United States (while I'm not saying there is an Obama in every state). The question simply is if they can make it out of the political wilderness into the limelight.

What I'm wondering is who comes after Obama? Who is the future of the Democratic Party? Now, this is not necessarily about who might become a future president but rather who has the ability to work hard and inspire people and make it into a leadership position in the future. Whether that is as governor, in the U.S. Senate or any other leadership position.

So, here's my question to you: who is the future of the Democratic Party? Which young person (younger than Obama who was born in 1961), male or female, white, African-American, Asian-American or Hispanic, straight or gay, inspires you? Now, that person may have already made it to Congress, or have been elected to statewide office. But it's just as likely that person is in the state legislature, the state cabinet or an elected official at the local level (mayor or county commissioner) or currently running for an office.

Which young Democrat in Iowa inspires you and whom do you wish/hope to rise and aim higher? And please provide year of birth and a bio link to that person if you can.

Cross posted from My Silver State.

About the Author(s)

Sven

17 Comments

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  • Bruce Braley

    Born 1957. http://braley.house.gov/Biogra…

    isucyclones94  Sun 8 Jun 3:30 PM

    • I have to agree

      I sent Braley a small donation in 2006, because I wanted to win the seat, but he has exceeded my expectations in Congress. I think he’s got a lot of potential.

      Great diary, Sven. Thanks for the cross-post.

      desmoinesdem  Sun 8 Jun 4:05 PM

  • there are some good progressives in the legislature

    I would like to see Pam Jochum (Dubuque), who has served in the Iowa House and is running for the Iowa Senate, rise to a position of leadership.

    Other Democrats I’d like to see aim higher include Senators Joe Bolkcom (Iowa City) and Rob Hogg (Cedar Rapids).

    Nate Willems, who was a regional director in Iowa for Howard Dean, is running for an open seat in the Iowa House this year. He is very strong on labor and other progressive issues. Here is his campaign website, which includes biographical information:

    http://www.natewillems.com

    desmoinesdem  Sun 8 Jun 5:32 PM

  • A year ago, I would have said Elliot Spitzer

    D’oh

    noneed4thneed  Sun 8 Jun 7:59 PM

    • The day before...

      the scandal was exposed, I was talking about how amazing I thought Eliot Spitzer was, how refreshing it was to have a politician who was progressive in that he enforced law for the good of all, and how I hoped he might be President one day.

      Sure was great when everyone at work reminded me of that conversation.

      abkad  Sun 8 Jun 10:27 PM

      • LOL

        But you were not alone.

        Right after the scandal, either Chris Bowers or Matt Stoller wrote a diary lamenting the downfall of one of the possibly great progressive presidential candidates of the future.

        I never get how some male politicians think their sexual dalliances won’t get discovered. I guess if you get away with something for a few months or years, you start to think you’ll get away with it forever.

        desmoinesdem  Mon 9 Jun 12:58 AM

  • Janet Petersen

    State rep from DSM.  I think she could have a bright future.  She would be a strong candidate to replace Boswell.

    rf  Sun 8 Jun 8:33 PM

  • Mc Kinley Bailey

    A young Democrat from Webster City, serving in the Iowa State House and the Key author on the Veterans Lottery Tickets (coming July 1st).

    I think this young man has a bright future in the Democratic Party.

    http://www.baileyforstatehouse…

    webster_co_dem  Mon 9 Jun 8:49 AM

  • the youth

    I agree with a lot of the poeple that were mentioned here already. My personal pick would be the janet peterson but she does have three young kids so she might have decided to put her ambitions to the side. But she is articulate and very smart and I hope one day we could push her forward into higher office. I also wish culver was as smart as his dad because then he would have a very bright future in front of him. I think the real future of the country and the party lies with the staffers who have been working on campaigns through out this primary cycle. The 19-26 year olds who have been everything from field staff to political team have been truly amazing.

    therealworld  Mon 9 Jun 12:26 PM

  • Elysha Gayman

    is a great example of the kind of future-promise person you are looking for, both young enough to understand the next generation and old enough to understand us boomers.

    Iowa has some notable young state legislators.

    And some real next-generation leaders on the event horizon.

    jep  Mon 9 Jun 7:22 PM

  • A year ago

    I would have said Elliot Spitzer.  In March of 2007 I had contacted his staff about starting on the 2012 caucuses.  One to watch now is Senator Jim Webb.

    keith-nichols  Mon 9 Jun 9:42 PM

  • Flood Figures

    Something I’ve been thinking about lately is if the flood will serve to boost the profiles of some of the key political figures involved.

    I wouldn’t be surprised at all (thrilled, actually) to see Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey run for higher office. Her leadership during the flood has been top-notch and her political positions are all straight-line Iowa City progressive.

    I also think Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie could make a serious run for higher office in the future, using Des Moines’ incredible growth during his term and his flood leadership as issues. Depending, of course, on whether he does something to fix the levees at Birdland.

    american007  Thu 26 Jun 11:18 AM

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