Joe Biden-Organization, Iowa
updated December 22, 2007

BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT, INC.
Headquarters:  8033 University Ave,  Suite C, Des Moines, IA 50325   515.440.2008     ...moved in April 16.
www.joebiden.com/iowa
Aug. 21, 2007 grab

Important Note: Senior national staff were deployed to Iowa in the latter part of Sept. 2007, including Danny O'Brien, national political director; Valerie Biden Owens, the Senator's sister and national campaign chair; Missy Owens, deputy national political director; and Annie Tomasini, a national communications staffer.  O'Brien assumed the role of state director and Romjue became senior advisor.  [see earlier organization]
 
State Director Danny O'Brien
(succeeded Bill Romjue in the latter part of Sept. 2007; previously served as national political director from the start of the campaign)  Executive director of Biden's Unite Our States PAC.  Chief of staff in Biden's Senate office for over three years (announced March 5, 2003).  Served as Sen. Robert Torricelli's chief of staff and Coordinated Campaign manager from 2001-02.  Coordinated Campaign director for McGreevey for Governor (NJ) in 2001.  Ran the Gore campaign in Nevada during the 2000 presidential election.  Worked in the Office of Public Liaison in the Clinton White House.  DNC's director of organizing and training during the 1998 election cycle.  Field organizer and ran successful local and statewide campaigns in a number of states.  During the early 1990s he managed AFL-CIO democracy programs in eight countries in Latin America and Eastern Europe.  Graduate of the University of the Redlands.  Native of Redlands, CA.
 
 
Deputy Field Director Adam Dunstone
(started as deputy field director in August 2007; initially a regional field director in Davenport)  Deputy campaign manager, Angie Paccione for Congress in Colorado, 2005-06.  Previously executive director of ThisMatters.org and Be the Change USA grassroots political organizations in Denver area.  B.A. from Michigan State University, 2004.
 
 

Regional Field Directors

Cedar Rapids Jennifer Huson
Regional director for the Iowa Democratic Party in Dubuque, 2006.  Campaign coordinator for mayoral campaign, Carbondale, Ill., 2003.  Field organizer of Fox for Congress campaign, Greensburg, Ind., 2002.  Field organizer, Kehoe for Senate campaign, Decatur, Ill., 1998.  B. A. in political science from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 2004.
 
Dubuque/Northeast Iowa Ellen Goodmann
Dubuque, Buchanan, Jackson, Jones, Clayton, Delaware, Allamakee
Previously communications/marketing director for Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, 2006.  Reporter and editor at the Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, 2003-06.  Production assistant at KFXA/KFXB radio, Dubuque, 2000-02.  Has volunteered on many campaigns.  B.A. from Clarke College, Dubuque, 2003.
 
Davenport Sharon Holle
Scott, Clinton, Muscatine
Previously held volunteer leadership roles in various campaigns, including Bruce Braley for Congress and Mike Blouin for Governor, 2006.  Member of Scott County Democratic Central Committee and recipient of Lee Pesses Award for the most enthusiastic volunteers in the party.  Working toward degree at Scott Community College, Davenport.
Davenport-outlying counties Tara Chadwick
Clinton, Muscatine, Louisa, Cedar
Recently was event planner for Don Shoman. Inc. in Chicago.  Field organizer for Iowa Democratic Party in Clinton area, 2006.  Worked on campaign of Brendan Riley for 42nd ward alderman in Chicago.  Bachelor’s degree from Gulf Coast University, Naples, FL.
 
Waterloo/Northeast Iowa Joshua Alcorn
Black Hawk, Bremer, Fayette, Winneshiek, Chickasaw, Howard
Previously finance assistant for the Biden campaign in Washington, DC., January 2007, and an intern for Biden’s Unite Our States PAC, 2006.  Was also a communications intern on Beau Biden’s campaign for Attorney General of Delaware, 2006.  B.A. from Villanova University and candidate for Master’s degree in Applied Politics, American University School of Public Affairs, Washington, DC.
 
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Holly Savage
Linn, Johnson, Benton, Cedar, Washington, Iowa, Louisa
Previously was a teaching assistant at the University of Iowa since 2004.  Intern for NARAL Pro-Choice Iowa, 2006.  B.A. in literature from Baylor University, 2000; M.A. in literature from University of Colorado, 2003; M.A. in literature from University of Iowa, 2007.  Active volunteer in many political and educational organizations.
 
Ottumwa/Southeast Iowa John Anderson
Des Moines, Lee, Wapello, Poweshiek, Jefferson, Henry, Mahaska, Keokuk, Davis, Van Buren
Field Director on the Dave Loebsack for Congress campaign in Iowa City, 2006.  Campaign manager of a city council campaign in Ottumwa, IA in 2005, after serving an internship in Sen. Tom Harkin’s Washington, DC office earlier that year.  Regional coordinator for the Iowa Democratic Party in Wapello County, 2004.  Volunteer on political campaigns since age 15.  B.A. from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, IA, 2006.
 
North Central Iowa Jon Reiner
Recently served as policy and community relations director on the Rodney Carroll for New York City Council campaign.  Previously worked at Elias Sports Bureau, 2000-04, and was a teacher for 10 years.  B.A. degree from Syracuse University, 1996, and M.S. degree from Hunter College (CUNY) in 1998.  Lives in Harlem, NY.
 
Ames/Central Iowa Joshua Evans
Story, Marshall, Tama, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Butler, Mitchell, Wright, Hancock, Winnebago, Franklin, Worth, Webster, Kossuth, Calhoun, Emmet, Palo Alto, Humboldt, Pocahantas
Previously executive manager of Midwest Insulation & Supply in Owensboro, Ky starting in 2005.  Field organizer for South Carolina Democratic Party, 2004, and for Kentucky Democratic Party, 2003.  B.A. in political science from University of Kentucky, 2003.
 
several Polk adjacent counties Lennon Duggan
Dallas, Warren, Boone, Madison, Guthrie, Greene, Adair
Legislative intern for Rep. Major Owens in Washington, summer 2006; legislative intern for the Wisconsin State Senate President’s office, spring 2006.  B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2006.
 
Southern/Central Iowa Katrina Arnold
Jasper, Marion, Appanoose, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Decatur, Ringgold, Taylor, Wayne, Adams
Previously research assistant in political science department at University of Northern Colorado and photo editor of The Mirror, thrice-weekly newspaper at UNC.  Volunteer for New Voters Project and founder of a student group which registered students to vote on two state referenda.  B.A. from University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, 2007.
 
Polk Raena Davis
Recently deputy director for two petition initiatives in Cleveland and Boston for Fieldworks, Washington, DC., summer 2006.  Interned for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in his Boston office, 2005-06.  Field organizer, Massachusetts Coordinated Campaign, summer 2005.  Team canvassing leader for the League of Conservation Voters in Orlando, Florida, summer 2004.  B.A. from Brandeis University in Boston, 2007.
 
Polk Jessica Alba
Recently worked for the Clear Channel radio group in Denver, Colo., 2006-07.  Previously was an intern lobbyist with A and A Communique in Denver.  B.A. in political science, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, 2005.
 
Council Bluffs/Western Iowa David Sabados
Pottawattamie, Carroll, Crawford, Harrison, Cass, Monona, Shelby, Mills, Page, Montgomery, Audubon, Fremont
Recently worked as field director for a state board of education campaign and advised a state senate campaign in Colorado, 2006.  Active volunteer in Matsunaka for Congress and John Kerry campaigns, 2004.  Chapter chair of Colorado Public Research Interest Group, 2002-06.  B.A. in philosophy and English, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, 2004.
 
Sioux City/Far Northwest Iowa Wesley Song
Woodbury, Dickinson, Plymouth, Buena Vista, Clay, Cherokee, O'Brien, Sac, Sioux, Ida, Lyon, Osceola
Recently was legislative aide to two Colorado state representatives in Denver.  Research and technology director for a Colorado state board of education campaign, 2006.  Interned for a Colorado state representative, 2005.  B.A. in history and political science, University of Northern Colorado, 2006, where he was student body president and founded the political science club.
 

Field Offices:  >
Ames:  330 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010   515-663-2008

Cedar Rapids:  215 3rd St. S. W., Suite 1, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404   319.366.0218

Council Bluffs:  1760 N. 16th Street, Ste #2, Council Bluffs, IA 51501   712-328-2008

Davenport:  1706 Brady St., Suite 209, Davenport, IA 52806   563.322.8908

Dubuque:  915 Main St., Dubuque, IA 52001   563.556.5106

Iowa City:  123 N. Linn St, Ste. 2-G, Iowa City, IA 52245   319-354-3786

Mason City:  103 E State Street, Mason City, IA 50401   641-423-1418

Ottumwa: 402 1/2 Church Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501

Sioux City:  400 Morningside Dr., Sioux City, IA 50325  712-309-1715

Waterloo:  500 Jefferson Street, Ste B, Waterloo, IA 50701  319-433-6285
 
 
 
Political Director Kelly Moura
(initially assistant political director)  Recently executive assistant for Global USA, Inc., in Washington, D. C. since 2005.  Campaign manager for Dougherty for State Representative in Indiana, Pennsylvania, 2004.  Field and volunteer coordinator in Cedar Rapids on the Gephardt for President Iowa caucus campaign, 2003-04.  Assistant director of policy correspondence for Sen. Charles E. Schumer, 1999-2003.  Press secretary/scheduler on the Mark Sylvia for School Committee in Fairhaven, Mass., 1998.  Internships with Sen. John F. Kerry and Massachusetts Democratic Party, 1995-96.  Assistant to budget director on Committee to Re-Elect Senator Kennedy, 1994.  B.S. degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University, 1997 and M.P.A. from American University, 2005.  Native of Fairhaven, Mass.
 
 
State Coordinator, Veterans for Biden James D. Mowrer
Mobilized with the Iowa National Guard's 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry based in Waterloo for Operation Iraqi Freedom for 22 months from Oct. 2005-July 2007, including 16 months on the ground in Iraq.
 
 
Communications Director Keith Dinsmore
Most recently was communications director for My Rural America Action Fund, a progressive grassroots advocacy group.  In the 2004 cycle Dinsmore worked on Dick Gephardt's presidential campaign in Iowa and on John Kerry's campaign in the Missouri and Wisconsin primaries, and on the press staff for Missouri Democratic Party and Claire McCaskill for Governor campaign.  Press secretary for Elaine Marshall's U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina then press secretary on Claire McCaskill for Auditor campaign in Missouri, 2002.  Worked on Bill Bradley's presidential campaign in Iowa, 2000.  Established Signet Communications, a consulting and publishing firm, in 1990, serving private sector and political clients, after stint as media affairs specialist for Hill and Knowlton Public Relations in St. Louis.  Press secretary for Jim Moody for U.S. Senate campaign in Wisconsin, 1992.  Communications director for Gephardt for President in Iowa, then in several primary states, 1988.  Editor of Des Moines Magazine, 1985-87.  Missouri coordinator on Gary Hart's presidential campaign, 1984.  Press secretary for Carter/Mondale Presidential Committee in Iowa, 1980.  Member of the original Jimmy Carter for President Steering Committee in Iowa, 1976, while he was owner of Dinsmore Publishing Co., which published 20 weekly newspapers.  B.A. degree from Truman State University.  A fifth generation Iowan, Dinsmore was raised on a farm near Fremont, Iowa.
 
 
Deputy Press Secretary Victoria Dillon
Worked for Biden's Unite our States PAC in Washington, DC, prior to joining the Biden campaign in Iowa.  Deputy campaign manager on Mark Davitt's successful re-election campaign for the Iowa House and communications director on Staci Appel's winning campaign for the Iowa Senate, 2006, as part of the All America PAC's campaign training program.  Account coordinator at Euro RSCG Magnet Communications, a public relations firm in Washington, DC, 2005-06.  Served internships for Mayor Matthew Driscoll of Syracuse, NY, and for John Grogan, Member of British Parliament, in Westminster. London, 2004-05.  Dual degree from Syracuse University's S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, 2005.  Native of Buffalo, NY.

Olivia Alair
 
 
Director of Scheduling and Advance Nathan Hamilton
Recently was government reporter for community newspaper owned by the Stephens Media Group in Maumelle, Ark.  Operations director of the Bill Halter for Lieutenant Governor Committee in Little Rock, Ark., 2005-06.  Legal assistant for the Hamilton Law Firm in Little Rock., 2000-03.  B.A. degree from St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, 2000.  Native of Little Rock, Ark.
 
 
 
Director of Administration Stacy Brenton
Vice President of Advocacy & Public Relations for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and Executive Director of its Iowa Prosperity Project, 2000-2006.  Served as Interim Vice President for Government Relations of ABI in 2005.  Legislative aide in the Iowa House of Representatives, 1996-2000.  Served on City Council of Dallas Center, Iowa, 1997-99.  B.A. in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University, 1991.  Native of Des Moines, Iowa.
 
 
Senior Advisor Bill Romjue
(announced March 29, 2007 as state director; built the campaign until Danny O'Brien took over in the latter part of Sept. 2007)  Campaign manager on Dina Titus' gubernatorial campaign in Nevada during Fall 2006; earlier in 2006 was campaign manager on Bill Halter for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas.  Ran John Edwards' primary campaign for U.S. Senate, 1998.  Managed the North Carolina campaigns for Clinton-Gore through the Coordinated Campaign.  Chief of staff to Rep. Dick Gephardt, planned and developed his 1988 presidential campaign, ran his political action committee, the Committee for Effective Government, starting in 1985, and served as his national political director.  Started working for Sen. Gart Hart in Iowa in the latter part of 1982, put together Hart’s Iowa caucus campaign, was Midwest director on the presidential campaign, then deputy national campaign manager.  Finance director in Bob Kerrey’s 1982 campaign for Governor of Nebraska.  State coordinator for the Carter-Mondale 1980 Iowa caucus campaign, and later deputy national field director.  Managed Chuck Robb for Lt. Gov. of Virginia in 1977.  Organizer in more than half a dozen states for the Carter-Mondale ticket in 1976.  Attended University of Missouri and graduated from Central Methodist University with a business degree.  Native of Macon, Missouri.
 
 

Steering Committee (updated Aug. 21, 2007 alpha by county):
Waterloo Party Activist Gary Kroeger
Waterloo Party Activist Steve Schmidt
Dubuque County Auditor Denise Dolan
Dubuque Party Activist Teri Goodmann
Dubuque Party Activist John Goodmann
Former Democratic Congressional Nominee David O'Brien of Cedar Rapids
Former State Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines
Former Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Judy McCoy Davis of Des Moines
Polk County Treasurer Mary Maloney
Emeritus Professor of Law, Drake University, Dan Power
Scott County Supervisor Roxanna Moritz
Paul Harrison, Director of The Church of the Damascus Road Reentry AfterCare Ministry in Fort Dodge
 

Endorsements by State Legislators
Sen. Herman Quirmbach (Ames)
Sen. Joe Seng (Davenport)
Speaker Pro Tempore Polly Bukta (Clinton)
House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Des Moines)
Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. Lisa Heddens (Ames)
Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Reasoner (Creston)
Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. John Whitaker (Hillsboro)
Rep. McKinley Bailey (Webster City)
Rep. Dennis Cohoon (Burlington)
Rep. Mary Gaskill (Ottumwa)
Rep. Doris Kelley (Waterloo)
Rep. Bruce Hunter (Des Moines)
Rep. Jim Lykam (Davenport)
Rep. Eric Palmer (Oskaloosa)
Rep. Dick Taylor (Cedar Rapids)
Rep. Roger Thomas (Elkader)
 

Endorsements (chronological)
announced April 4, 2007:
Scott County Democratic Party Committee Member Sharon Holle
Former State Representative Rick Dickinson
Dubuque Democratic Activist Rae Ann Dickinson
Davenport Democratic Activist Paul Elgatian
Fort Madison Democratic Activist Vern Benjamin
Sioux City Democratic Activist Doris O'Brien
Sioux City Public Defender Michael O'Brien
Drake University Law Professor Dan Power
Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Member Buck Clark

announced May 7, 2007:
State Senator Joe Seng of Davenport
State Representative Jim Lykam of Davenport
Scott County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Hancock
Scott County Board of Supervisors Member Roxanne Moritz

announced July 3, 2007:
House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Lisa Heddens of Ames
House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Mike Reasoner of Creston
State Representative Dick Taylor of Cedar Rapids

announced August 24, 2007:
State Representative Doris Kelley of Waterloo

announced September 5, 2007:
Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. John Whitaker of Hillsboro

announced September 13, 2007:
House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines

announced September 24, 2007:
Speaker Pro Tempore Polly Bukta of Clinton

announced September 27, 2007:
State Representative Roger Thomas of Elkader

announced October 3, 2007:
Phyllis Hughes Ewing - daughter of former Iowa Governor and U.S. Senator Harold Hughes.  Hughes Ewing working with her father in running the Harold Hughes Treatment Center in Iowa, established to help those with alcohol problems or other addictions, from 1987-96.  Since then she has worked as a teacher and as an administrator in the insurance industry.

announced Oct. 11, 2007:
State Representative McKinley Bailey of Webster City

announced Nov. 5, 2007:
State Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames

announced Nov. 14, 2007
State Representative Mary Gaskill of Ottumwa

announced Nov. 18, 2007
Paulee Lipsman - caucus veteran; Director, Democratic Research Staff, Iowa House of Representatives.

announced Nov. 21, 2007
State Representative Bruce Hunter of Des Moines

announced Nov. 30, 2007
Iowa Veterans for Biden Regional Chairs

announced Dec. 22, 2007
State Representative Dennis Cohoon of Burlington and Eric Palmer of Oskaloosa
 

Steering Committee (as announced March 29, 2007):
Polk County Treasurer Mary Maloney
Scott County Supervisor Roxanna Moritz
Dubuque County Auditor Denise Dolan
Former State Senator Tony Bisignano
Former Iowa Democratic Party Exec.Dir. Judy McCoy Davis
Former Democratic Congressional Nominee David O'Brien
Dubuque Party Activist Teri Goodmann
Dubuque Party Activist John Goodmann
Waterloo Party Activist Gary Kroeger
Waterloo Party Activist Steve Schmidt
 

former
Field Director/Deputy State Director Daniel Lipner
(through Aug. 2007)  In the 2006 cycle Lipner served as deputy campaign manager and counsel of the Rales for U.S. Senate campaign in Maryland, then GOTV director of the Massa for Congress campaign in  Corning, NY.  Legal compliance and budget director for the Pennsylvania Victory 2004 coordinated campaign in Philadelphia.  Law school at Emory; while in law school, Lipner was a law clerk in the Office of the Vice President and a legal intern for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.  Director of internal operations for the NATO 50th Anniversary Host Committee in Washington, 1999.  Director of opposition research and field coordinator of Buddy MacKay for Governor campaign in Florida, 1998.  Scheduler for Rep. Peter Deutsch in 1997.  Deputy director of technology for the Presidential Inaugural Committee in 1996-97.  Served as a White House intern in the Office of Cabinet Affairs in 1996 then worked for Florida '96 Coordinated Campaign in Tallahassee.  B.A. in policy studies from Syracuse University, 1996, and J. D. from Emory University School of Law, 2002.  Native of Miami, Florida.
 
Copyright © 2007  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action