Alexandra Nickolas-Dermody is Vice Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Progressive Caucus, a longtime election strategist and organizer, and a lifelong Iowan. On December 31 she emailed this message to members of the Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee, who will elect a state party chair for the next two years on January 4. Bleeding Heartland has not edited her text in any way.

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Dear Central Committee Members and Iowa Democrats,

I hope this email finds you well. As a lifelong Democrat, Central Committee Member, and Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus, I have had the privilege of working alongside many of you to build a stronger, more inclusive party. Today, I am reaching out to ask for your support in my candidacy for Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party.

Who I Am

For those I haven’t had the opportunity to meet personally, I’m Alexandra Nickolas-Dermody — a caregiver, election strategist and organizer, former non profit director, and working class Iowan. I’m a proud lifelong Iowan who has dedicated my life to empowering working-class folks, young voters, and marginalized communities. My work advocating for affordable housing, workers’ rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and reproductive freedom has prepared me to take on the challenges we face as a party.

Why I’m Running

The IDP is at a crossroads, and we have a real opportunity to revitalize our movement. With bold leadership, I believe we can reconnect with our roots — working people, young voters, farmers, and the communities that define Iowa. It’s time to bring a renewed energy and focus to our shared mission of justice and equity for all.

My Priorities as Chair

If elected, I will focus on:

Strengthening Grassroots Engagement: Empowering local leaders and volunteers to amplify the voices of Iowans across every county.

Mobilizing Young Voters: Developing innovative outreach strategies to energize young people and ensure their voices are heard at the ballot box.

Advocating for Bold, Popular Policy Solutions: Fighting for universal healthcare, Universal Pre-K, a living minimum wage, and protections for small family farms and public schools.

Transparent Leadership: Establishing clear communication channels and ensuring every member of our party feels valued and heard.

Accessible Elections: Working to protect voting rights and make it easier for all Iowans to participate in our democracy.

These bullet points are a simplified version of what I plan to fight for, but I also believe we need comprehensive structural overhauls to how the party works, a renewed vision for how we will use and spend finances, approach fundraising, and win elections moving forward in 2025, 2026, and onward. 

I agree with many of the sentiments expressed by Democrats as of late in that we need a better strategic plan and I personally commit to crafting a new transparent and actionable plan by May. We also need to set realistic fundraising goals, invest in either improving or using new software for voter engagement if VAN is no longer viable, improve internal communications and eliminate communication delays, build more robust support systems for candidate (including off year candidates and pre-primary candidates), improving the branding and public image of the IDP, and overall creating a more cohesive and strong IDP to take on the GOP and Trumpism in these trying times.

My Vision for the IDP

Our shared goal is to build a true working-class party that every Iowan can be proud to support—a party rooted in fairness, equity, and a steadfast commitment to the people of this state. We will create a movement that goes beyond just winning elections; it will inspire hope, foster action, and deliver tangible improvements in the lives of all Iowans.

This means a party that unapologetically champions policies and priorities that matter to working families—fighting for good-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, accessible childcare and education, and clean air and water. It means putting the needs of small family farms and rural communities at the forefront, ensuring they have a voice in shaping Iowa’s future.

We will rebuild trust by demonstrating that the Iowa Democratic Party is truly by the people and for the people—rejecting influence from corporate donors and special interests. Instead, we will rely on the strength and wisdom of our grassroots supporters, empowering county leaders and volunteers who understand their communities better than anyone.

My vision is one where every Iowan, regardless of background or political affiliation, sees the Democratic Party as their party—a champion for their struggles and aspirations. By uniting behind this purpose, we can create a party that resonates with the heart of Iowa, grows its reach across urban and rural areas alike, and makes meaningful progress for everyone.

This is the Iowa Democratic Party we will build together—a party that listens, acts, and wins for the people.

I would love the opportunity to hear your thoughts on how we can best move forward together. Your insights are invaluable to me, and I’m committed to fostering collaboration and unity within our party.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at alexandranickolasdermody@gmail.com. I look forward to discussing my vision further and earning your support for my bid to become Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party.

Thank you for your dedication to our shared cause. Together, we can make a real difference for Iowans and ensure the future of our party is brighter than ever.

In solidarity and with warm new year wishes,

Alexandra Nickolas-Dermody

Candidate for Chair, Iowa Democratic Party

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Editor’s note from Laura Belin: Dexter Merschbrock announced in December that he would run for state party chair, but before the State Central Committee’s January 4 meeting, he endorsed Nickolas-Dermody for the position. Merschbrock told Bleeding Heartland, “With Rita Hart we are an opposition party that doesn’t provide any opposition. Has to change. Alexandra will put the focus on how Kim Reynolds, Joni Ernst, and every Iowa Republican that puts more tax cuts for the rich over what will make life easier for working Iowans.”

UPDATE: Hart won the election by 38 votes to ten for Winter and one for Nickolas-Dermody. Kim Callahan was also nominated during the January 4 meeting but did not win any votes.