Barack Obama-Organization, Iowa
revised Jan. 24, 2009

OBAMA FOR AMERICA 
Headquarters: 323 E. Locust, Des Moines, IA  50309
iowa.barackobama.com
(launched mid-April 2007; April 23 grab)
State Director Paul Tewes
(reported by Chris Cillizza "The Fix" on Jan. 16, 2007, announced Jan. 24, 2007)  Campaign manager of Americans United to Protect Social Security in 2005.  Formed Hildebrand Tewes Consulting, Inc. with Steve Hildebrand in early 2005.  Political director at the DSCC in the 2004 cycle; worked for the DCCC starting in 2001.  Field director on Vice President Al Gore's 2000 Iowa caucus campaign starting in June 1999.  Executive director of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, 1998.  Managed Sandy Pappas’ mayoral campaign in St. Paul in 1997.  Managed U.S. Rep. David Minge's re-election campaign in 1996.  Western MN field coordinator for Ann Wynia's U.S. Senate campaign in 1994.  Graduate of Carleton College with a degree in Political Science, 1993.  Native of Mt. Lake, MN.
 
 
Deputy State Director Marygrace Galston
Washington State Democrats' Coordinated Campaign director in 2006.  East King County director (ran the Bellevue office) for Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) in 2005.  Worked on Sen. Murray's successful 2004 re-election campaign.  Worked on Sen. John Kerry's primary campaign starting in Iowa City for the Iowa caucus campaign then proceeding to Michigan for the Feb. 7 caucuses campaign and to Ohio.  Bachelor's degree in political science from Colorado State University; president of Young Democrats in her senior year.

Assistants to State and Deputy State Director - Katherine Bradley, Elizabeth Nelson

Budget Assistant - Jennifer Fiihr
 
 
 

POLITICAL

Political Director Emily Parcell
(announced Jan. 24, 2007)  Managed Iowa Senate Democrats' political operation during the 2004 and 2006 elections (Democrats picked up a net gain of nine seats and took control of the Iowa Senate for the first time since 1996).  A regional field director (NW) on Rep. Dick Gephardt's 2004 Iowa caucus campaign.  Worked on Sen. Tom Harkin's 2002 re-election campaign.  Worked on Al Gore's Iowa caucus campaign.  Native Iowan; grew up in Mount Pleasant.
 
 
Deputy Political Director Mike Blake
(announced March 15, 2007)  Director of external affairs for the Michigan House of Representatives before heading to Iowa.  Prior to that, he was the West Michigan campaign organizer for the Michigan House Democratic Caucus.
 
 
Eastern Iowa Political Director State Rep. Elesha Gayman (D-Davenport)
(announced May 23, 2007)  Elected in 2006 narrowly defeating two-term incumbent Rep. Jim Van Fossen.  Clerk in the Iowa Senate and lead facilitator for the Safer Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Program.  2004 Iowa delegate at the Democratic National Convention and in the fall ran the Coordinated Campaign office in Independence, Iowa.  Working towards an M.P.A from Drake University (July 2007).  B.A. in political science from the University of Iowa.  Born and raised in Davenport.
 
 
Outreach Director Steve Chasse
(announced March 15, 2007)  On AFSCME Iowa’s political staff in 2005-06.  Field organizer on Kerry's Iowa caucus campaign, then ran Kerry's Green Bay office during the Feb. 17 Wisconsin primary campaign, and in the general election he was a regional field director on Iowa Victory 2004 (Cedar, Johnson, Louisa, Muscatine, Washington counties).  Formerly worked as a tech consultant in Boston.
 

Constituencies
Latinos, Asian American Pacific Islanders, ... Joan Kato
Experience includes scheduler for Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill).  Bachelor's degree in marketing and international business from the University of Iowa, 2003.  Grew up in Los Angeles.
 
 
Veterans ? LGBT,... Brian Van Riper
Previously worked on several campaigns and causes, mostly in California.  Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000-04.
 
 
Rural America/Agriculture, Environmental/Energy & Young Professionals... 
Polk County Political Director		 Rohan Patel
(started on the campaign in Jan. 2007)  Previously served as an events director for Gov. Chet Culver’s Inaugural Committee.  Worked on the Iowa State Senate campaign initially on the finance team and then in the field for Sen. Herman Quirmbach.  Worked on Sen. Evan Bayh’s AllAmerica PAC in 2006 in Washington, DC and Des Moines.  Graduate of Northwestern University.
 
 
African-Americans & Seniors Denise Pate

 
African-Americans Brooks Banton & Simeon Talley

 
 
College Coordinator/Youth Vote Rachel Haltom-Irwin
Experience includes work for Wal-Mart Watch.  Graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, 2004.
 
 
Constituency Correspondence/Political Outreach Tsehaynesh Abebe
(initially announced as Field Director on March 15, 2007)  Experience includes trainer for Wellstone Action!'s Campus Camp Wellstone program, work for Amnesty International's national training program, instructor in the Department of Social Sciences at Kirkwood Community College, and executive director of The Living Project, an organization dedicated to youth leadership development and civic engagement in Waterloo, Iowa.  Graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.  Waterloo native.
 
 
Caucus Director Mitch Stewart
(announced March 15, 2007)  Coordinated Campaign director in Minnesota during the 2006 midterm elections.  Field director on Sen. Tom Daschle's 2004 re-election campaign.  Eastern Iowa regional field director for Sen. John Edwards’ Iowa caucus campaign (announced May 2003).  A regional field director for the Louisiana Democratic Party during Sen. Mary Landrieu's 2002 run-off campaign.  A regional field director for the South Dakota Democratic Party during Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign.  Has also served as a research assistant and staff assistant in Johnson's Senate office.
 
 
Director of Political Operations; also Women's Outreach Gillian Rosenberg
Deputy political director and caucus director at the Iowa Democratic Party in 2005-06.  Iowa Democratic Senate Caucus campaign manager in 2004. Field organizer for John Kerry’s caucus campaign in Iowa City in 2003.  Attended the University of Iowa.
 
 

FIELD

Field Director Anne Filipic
Came to the campaign from Hildebrand Tewes Consulting, Inc.  Has worked on Tom Daschle for South Dakota and Americans United to Protect Social Security.
 
 

Regional Field Directors

South East Iowa Chelsea Kammerer
Deputy field director for the MN DFL Coordinated Campaign in 2006.  Fundraiser for Sen. Dianne Feinstein in Spring 2006.  Assistant to the finance director at the DCCC, 2005.  Field organizer in Anchorage on Tony Knowles' 2004 race for U.S. Senate in Alaska.  Graduated from Georgetown University in 2004.
 
 
East Central Iowa Hallie Schneir
Worked on Virginia Victory 2005, helping to elect Tim Kaine governor.  Oregon City field organizer on Carry Oregon (the 2004 Oregon Democratic Coordinated Campaign).
 
 
Waterloo Katie Ingebretson
Worked on Virginia Victory 2005, helping to elect Tim Kaine governor.
 
 
North East Iowa Brent Welder
Outreach director for Congressman Patrick Murphy, Jan.-March 2007.  GOTV director on Patrick Murphy for U.S. Congress, Fall 2006.  Campaign manager of Andy Warren for U.S. Congress, Spring 2006.  Field Director at the Massachusetts Democratic Party, 2005.   Lead field organizer in Bucks County on the Pennsylvania Coordinated Campaign in Fall 2004.  National field staff on John Kerry for President, 2003-04: started in the Iowa Caucus campaign as lead field organizer for Marshall, Tama, Iowa Counties and parts of Story County, then Western Georgia regional field director for the Georgia primary, lead field organizer in Central Wisconsin for the Wisconsin primary, lead field organizer in the Upper Peninsula for the Michigan Primary; and in the summer worked on the communications/Internet team at national headquarters.  Interned on Tom Harkin for U.S. Senate in 2002.
 
 
South Central Iowa Lauren Kidwell
Regional field director for the 4th CD with the Minnesota Coordinated Campaign in 2006.  Worked in Senator Obama's DC Senate office from January 2005-June 2006 mainly as a legislative correspondent.  Regional director for NW Illinois on Obama's 2004 general election campaign for U.S. Senate; field staffer in Central Illinois on Obama's primary campaign for U.S. Senate.  Graduate of the University of Illinois.
 
 
North Central Iowa Chris Lewis

 
 
Polk County Chelsea Waliser
Worked on the communications staff of the Washington Senate Democratic Caucus during the 2007 legislative session.  Political director for U.S. Rep .Adam Smith during the 2006 election cycle, during which she ran south Puget Sound GOTV for the 2006 Washington state Coordinated Campaign.  Field organizer on U.S. Sen. Patty Murray's 2004 re-election campaign.  Washington state native and graduate of the University of Puget Sound.
 
 
South West Iowa Rory Steele
Did GOTV in Washington State in the 2006 cycle.  Former Marine.
 
 
North West Iowa Andy Wiese
Came to the campaign from the South Dakota Farmers Union.  Prior to that, he worked as a field organizer for the South Dakota Democratic Party during Sen. Tom Daschle's campaign in 2004  and Sen. Tim Johnson’s successful re-election campaign in 2002.
 
 

Field Offices  [PHOTOS]
... 37 offices across the state as of Dec. 10, 2007 alphabetically
see also: regional organization; county leadership committees.

Algona:  14 Dodge St, Algona   712-212-5098  ...Kossuth County.
...grand opening on June 30, 2007 with Sen. Tom Daschle.

Ames:  303 Welch Avenue,  Ames, IA 50014   515.268.3148  ...Story County.

Anamosa:  405 E. Main Street Suite A, Anamosa, IA 52205  319.462.4365   ...Jones County.

Burlington:  1000 North Roosevelt, Ste. 8, Burlington, IA 52601   319.752.4967  ...Des Moines County.

Carroll:  225 West 4th Street, Carroll, IA 51401  712-792-8793   ...Carroll County.

Cedar Falls:  4807 University Avenue, Ste. 101, Cedar Falls, IA 50613   319.268.7302  ...Black Hawk County.

Cedar Rapids:  1420 1st Avenue NE, Room 105, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402   319.366.0475  ...Linn County.
...Michelle Obama officially opened on April 28, 2007.

Charles City:  200 North Main Street, Suite 4, Charles City, IA 50616   641-228-3587  ...Floyd County.

Clinton:  1629-1663 Lincoln Way, Clinton, IA 52732   563.244.4000  ...Clinton County.

Creston:  121 N. Elm Street, Creston, IA 50801   641.782.3765

Council Bluffs:  500 West Broadway, Ste. 150, Council Bluffs, IA 51503   712.352.0640  ...Pottawattamie County.
...open mid-April 2007.

Davenport:  3546 North Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803   563.445.6774 ...Scott County.

Decorah:  300 West Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101   563-382-2008   ...Winneshiek County.

Des Moines: see above

Des Moines II:  603 E. 2nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Dubuque:  219 West 9th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001   563.582.5129    ...Dubuque County.

Elkader: 110 Mulberry Street, Elkader, IA  52043   563.245.3612   ...Clayton County.

Fairfield: 109 North Court Street, Fairfield, IA 52556   641.472.4537  ...Jefferson County.
...grand opening celebration on Oct. 27, 2007.

Fort Dodge:  12-11th Avenue North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501  515.573.1703   ...Webster County.
.
Fort Madison:  2426 Avenue L, Fort Madison, IA 52627   319-372-2185   ...Lee County.

Indianola:  222 W Salem Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125  515-962-2755   ...Warren County.

Independence:  206 1st Street East, Independence, IA 50644   319-334-4128   ...Buchanan County.

Iowa City:  393 East College Street, Iowa City, IA 52240   319.358.5515   ...Johnson County.

Knoxville:  108 E. Robinson Street, Knoxville, IA 50138  641-842-4505   ...Marion County.

Maquoketa: 106 South Main Street, Maquoketa, IA 52060   563.652.1008   ...Jackson County.

Marshalltown:  31 South 1st Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158   641-844-2008   ...Marshall County.

Mason City:  503 South Federal Avenue, Ste. B, Mason City, IA 50401   641.423.1825  ...Cerro Gordo County.

Muscatine:  211 West 2nd Street, Muscatine, IA 52761  563.263.2365   ...Muscatine County.

Newton:  212 1st Avenue W, Newton, IA 50208  641.792.2308   ...Jasper County.

Oelwein:  1 South Frederick, Oelwein, IA 50662  319-283-4484   ...Fayette County.

Ottumwa:  224 East 2nd Street, Suite 1, Ottumwa, IA 52501   641.684.4068   ...Wapello County.

Perry:  1214 Willis Ave, Perry, Iowa 50220   515 465-2400   ...Dallas County.
...announced Oct. 25, 2007.

Sioux City:  1322 Pierce Street, Sioux City, IA 51105   712.255.5860   ...Woodbury County.
 

Spencer: 301 Grand Ave Spencer, IA 51301  515-227-6477  ...Clay County.
...grand opening on June 30, 2007 with Sen. Tom Daschle.

Waterloo:  425 Franklin Street, Suite FB, Waterloo, IA  50703  319.233.5135...Black Hawk County.
Regional Director: Katie Ingebretson.

Waverly: 104 East Bremer Avenue, Waverly, IA 50677  319-352-9009  ...Bremer County.

West Des Moines:  1309 50th St, West Des Moines   515.440.0657  ...Polk County.

also note. The campaign left about three offices open after the caucuses so supporters could make calls to later states.
 
 

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director Josh Earnest
(reported by DMR's Thomas Beaumont on April 10, 2007)  Communications director on Tom Vilsack's presidential campaign (started Dec. 13, 2006).  Communications director for Jim Davis' 2006 campaign for governor in Florida.  In 2003-05, Earnest worked in the communications department at the DNC serving as regional media director in the 2004 cycle and as press secretary in 2005 and early 2006.  Communications director for Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR); he was Berry's deputy campaign manager during his successful 2002 re-election campaign.  Media assistant at Squier-Knapp-Dunn.  Before moving to Washington, DC, Earnest worked in the Houston office of Varoga & Rice (now known as Varoga, Rice & Shalett) as an account executive.  Graduate of Rice University, 1997.
 
 
Press Secretary Tommy Vietor
(started Feb. 19, 2007)  Previously served as Obama's Senate press secretary starting in January 2005.  Deputy press secretary on Obama's 2004 Senate race.  Worked on John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign in the communications department in Raleigh.  Graduate of Kenyon College.
 
 
Deputy Press Secretary Gannet Tseggai
(announced March 15, 2007)  Previously Sen. Ted Kennedy’s deputy press secretary in Washington, DC.  During the 2004 campaign, she worked as a press assistant on Missouri Gov. Bob Holden's re-election campaign, then as a press assistant on Missouri Victory 2004, the Democratic Coordinated Campaign, and finally was dispatched to Ohio.  Graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia; double majored in political science and communications.

Press Assistant - Bobby Gravitz
 
 

NEW MEDIA

Director of New Media Nick Kimball
(May 2007)  Worked at the Minnesota DFL for nearly two years, serving as acting communications director and earlier, during the 2006 cycle, as deputy communications director. Legislative aide to Minnesota Senate Majority Leader in 2005.  Field organizer on Tom Daschle’s 2004 campaign after working field for Kerry during the primaries.  Worked in communications office of national juvenile justice non-profit from 2001-04.  Graduate of The George Washington University.  Native of Minnesota.
 
 
 
Lead Online Organizer Jaime Mulligan
Worked for the American Chiropractic Association from 2003-07 in various capacities including membership and legal; most recently served as Director of Congressional & Regulatory Affairs, focusing on Medicare.  Co-founded small nonprofit, Arlington Academy of Hope (AAH), that seeks to help children in Uganda by providing access to education and health care services within their village communities. Graduated from George Mason University, received a paralegal certificate from Georgetown University, and currently pursuing M.P.A. with a concentration in policy analysis from George Mason University.
 
 

MORE

GOTC Director Paulette Aniskoff
Aniskoff Consulting, a political consulting firm in Manhattan; experience includes work on Kirsten Gillibrand's 2006 successful congressional campaign in NY.
 
 
Caucus Training Director Melanie Cloud Gross
Experience includes voter registration director in the office of the Iowa Secretary of State.
Policy Director Karen Richardson
Previously policy coordinator in Obama's Senate office after serving as a staff assistant and starting as an intern.  Interned at the UNICEF Innocentin Research Centre.  Undergraduate and law degrees from Howard University; master's degree in international relations from the London School of Economics.

 
Trip Director Franny Starkey
(announced March 15, 2007)  Director of scheduling and advance on Amy Klobuchar’s successful 2006 U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota.  Deputy communications director for Gov. Tom Vilsack in 2004.  Events coordinator on Gov. Howard Dean's Iowa caucus campaign.  Graduate of Drake University.
 
 
Deputy Trip Director Jessica Wright

 
Advance Rick Siger
Deputy secretary of commerce and trade in the administration of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine; earlier was director of operations for the Kaine's transition, and director of advance and trip director on Kaine's 2005 gubernatorial campaign.  Served on the national advance staff of the Kerry campaign.  Pittsburgh native.

Lead Press Advance Brian Weeks

Advance Peter Gage
Worked on Tim Kaine's campaign for governor of Virginia in 2005.  On John Kerry's advance team in 2004.  Graduate of Harvard, 2001.
 
Crowd Advance Ethan Yake

 
 
Voter File Director Michael Keane
Voter file director for the Rhode Island Coordinated Campaign in 2006.  Technology director for the Washington State Democrats in 2005.  Managed data for WA Democrats' legal team in the 2004 gubernatorial election court battle. Voter file director for Sen. Pattty Murray's successful 2004 re-election.
 
Deputy Voter File Director Daniel Wagner

 
 
Tracker Meredith Morgan

 
 
Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator Brett Prather
Case worker in Sen. Patty Murray's office in Seattle, WA.  B.A. from Chapman University in Anaheim, CA.
 
 
Senior Advisor Jackie Norris
(announced March 15, 2007)  Norris teaches at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa and previously was a government and history teacher at Ames High School.  Before marrying John Norris, Jackie Dycke served as political director on Vice President Al Gore’s 1999-2000 Iowa caucus campaign.  Finance director on Tom Vilsack's 1998 campaign for governor.  Worked in Washington D.C. for seven years on Capitol Hill, in the White House as a scheduler for Vice President Gore, and at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 

Note.  the campaign got an early start.  According to the 1st Q FEC report, by the end of March 2007 there were already 52 people on the payroll (date indicates first appearance):
Tsehaynesh Abebe (3/9)    Michael Blake (3/23)    Matt Cain (3/23)    Steve Chasse (2/23)    Ronnie Cho (3/23)    Joe Cupka (3/9)    Douglas Dorando (3/23)    Jillian Dykhoff (2/9)    Derek Eadon (2/9)    Orrin Evans (3/23)    Marygrace Galston (2/9)    Aaron Gardner (3/23)    Caroline Grey (3/23)    Travis Hall (3/23)    Kevin Harris (3/23)    Justin Huck (3/9)    Katie Ingebretson (2/9)    Benjamin Jacobs (3/23)    Michael Keane (2/9)    John Keig (3/23)    Chelsea Kammerer (2/23)    Grant Lahmann (3/23)    Samuel Liebert (3/23)    Michael Lindley (3/23)    Nickolas Meyer (2/23)    Kyong Nam (3/23)    Elizabeth Nelson (3/23)    Jacqueline Norris (3/23)    Lindsey Pagel (3/23)    Emily Parcell (1/26)    Rohan Patel (2/9)    Denise Pate (3/23)    Jeff Philips (3/23)    Allison Pulliam (3/23)    Paul Tewes (2/9)    Gannet Tseggai (3/9)    Gillian Rosenberg (3/9)    David Sawyer (3/23)    Hallie Schneir (3/23)    Franny Starkey (2/9)    Quinn Staudt (2/23)    Shira Sternberg (3/9)    Mitch Stewart (1/26)    Carrianna Suiter (3/9)    Alicia Sutton (3/23)    Simeon Talley (2/9)    Adam Ukman (3/23)    Jaclyn Urness (3/9)    Thomas Vietor (2/23)    Carl Wiederaenders (3/23)    Andrew Wiese (2/23)   Alek Wipperman (3/23)
 
 

Key Endorsements
State Legislators (20 as of Dec. 23, 2007)
State Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City (announced Dec. 4, 2007) >
State Sen. Bob Dvorsky of Coralville  (June 28, 2007)
State Sen. Bill Heckroth of Waverly (announced July 16, 2007) >
State Sen. Rich Olive of Story City (announced Sept. 14, 2007)
State Sen. Tom Rielly of Oskaloosa  (July 13, 2007) >
State Sen. Steve Warnstadt of Sioux City (announced beginning of Sept. 2007)
State Sen. Frank Wood of Eldridge (announced Sept. 14, 2007)

State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines  (Oct. 13, 2007)
State Rep. Deborah Berry of Waterloo  (Nov. 27, 2007)
State Rep. Wayne Ford of Des Moines  (Dec. 23, 2007) >
State Rep. Elesha Gayman of Davenport is the campaign's Eastern Iowa political director  (May 23, 2007) >
State Rep. David Jacoby of Coralville  (Oct. 11, 2007)
State Rep. Pam Jochum of Dubuque (Sept. 28, 2007)
State Rep. Helen Miller of Fort Dodge (announced Sept. 14, 2007)
State Rep. Donovan Olson of Boone (announced Oct. 10, 2007)
State Rep. Tyler Olson of Cedar Rapids  (June 21, 2007) >
State Rep. Janet Peterson of Des Moines (announced Sept. 14, 2007)
State Rep. Brian Quirk of New Hampton (announced Nov. 20, 2007)
State Rep. Paul Shomshor of Council Bluffs (announced Dec. 10, 2007)
State Rep. Mark Smith of Marshalltown (announced Oct. 17, 2007)

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller (announced Feb. 11, 2007)  >
Iowa State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald (announced Feb. 11, 2007)

Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-2) (announced Dec. 17, 2007) >
 

99 County Leadership Committees >

164-member State Leadership Committee (announced Sept. 19, 2007) by county/by city

Six more Democratic County Chairs (announced Dec. 19, 2007) >
Four more Democratic County Chairs (announced Dec. 12, 2007) >
Six Democratic County Chairs from Northern and Central Iowa (announced Dec. 10, 2007; note all previously announced as members of county leadership committees) >
Four rural Democratic County Chairs in SW Iowa (announced Dec. 6, 2007) > (note competing release from later the same day +)

Former Lt. Gov. Bob Anderson (announced Dec. 10, 2007) >

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie (announced Dec. 2, 2007) >

ISEA President Linda Nelson (personal endorsement announced Nov. 28, 2007) >

46 Women serving in elective office (announced Nov. 16, 2007) >

Delegates of United Auto Workers Region 4  (Nov. 15, 2007)  >
UAW Region 4 represents 64,000 active and 122,000 retirees in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, including 30,000 members and retirees in Iowa.  Dennis Williams is director.

268 Iowa Republicans (announced Nov. 5, 2007) >

Former State Rep. Bob Osterhaus and Ann Osterhaus of Maquoketa  (announced Oct. 23, 2007)

former Iowa Democratic Party chair Gordon Fischer (announced Sept. 24, 2007)

Generation Obama Iowa Steering Committee (announced Sept. 7, 2007) >

Iowa African American Steering Committee (announced Sept. 6, 2007) >

Iowa Latino Steering Committee (announced Sept. 5, 2007) >

Iowa Labor Steering Committee (announced Sept. 3, 2007) >

Women for Obama County Leaders in 50 Iowa counties (announced Aug. 23, 2007) >

252 Iowa veterans – including 55 who caucused for Senator John Kerry in 2004  (announced May 28, 2007) >PDF

More than 100 community organizers  (announced April 20, 2007)  >
 
 

also, on July 24, 2007, in advance of Obama's July 27 Rural Issues Forum at the Van Fossen Farm in Adel, the campaign announced the names of several Iowans who will "lead the effort to create and enact his rural agenda:"
Mike Dunn, of Keokuk - former under secretary of agriculture for marketing and regulatory programs during the Clinton administration.

Gary Lamb, of Chelsea - has farmed for 55 years and has served as president of the Iowa Farmers Union, chairman of the Iowa State Committee of the Farm Service Agency and as an agricultural liaison for Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

Neil Hamilton, of Waukee - director of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University.  In 2000, he was appointed by Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as chairman of the Iowa Food Policy Council.
 

also, on Nov. 12, 2007 the campaign announced several Iowans as members of its National Veterans Advisory Committee:
Col. Bill Peterson - U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Iowa City, I A

MG Dennis Gray - U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Glenwood, IA

Ray Hutchinson - State Chair of Vietnam Veterans of America., Chairman-Iowa Veterans Council, Des Moines, IA

State Senator Steve Warnstadt - actively a Lieutenant Colonel in Iowa Army National Guard, former state chair of Veterans for Kerry, Sioux City, IA
 

also on Nov. 14, 2007 the campaign announced its "Caucus Pros" program consisting of "seniors and long-time caucus goers across the state to train supporters who haven’t caucused before"
 
 

Post-Jan. 3, 2008 Endorsements
Gov. Chet Culver announced his endorsement on Feb. 7, 2008 (note caucuses in neighboring Nebraska on Feb. 9).

On March 13, 2008, shortly before county conventions on March 15, the campaign held a press conference to announce the endorsements of Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and 17 more state legislators.  One more legislator joined after the press conference.

Representative McKinley Bailey
Representative Dennis Cohoon
Representative Ro Foege
Representative Marcie Frevert
Representative Bob Kressig
Representative Kevin McCarthy
Representative Eric Palmer
Representative Mike Reasoner
Representative Kurt Swaim
Representative Dick Taylor
Representative Roger Thomas
Representative Andrew Wenthe
Representative John Whitaker
Representative Philip Wise
Representative Ray Zirkelbach

Senator Brian Schoenjahn
Senator Keith Kreiman
Senator Amanda Ragan (added post press conference)

and
Congressman Bruce Braley (CD-1)  (announced April 30, 2008)
Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Scott Brennan  (announced May 20, 2008)

County Conventions
Jackie Norris continued to lead the campaign in Iowa after the caucuses.  Additionally, several field organizers worked in advance of the March 15 county conventions: Kevin Geiken, Adam Gibbs, Caroline Gonzalez, Matt Nappe, Lindsey Pagel, Audie Schmidt and Karen Wohlleben.
 
 


former staff
Des Moines Regional Field Director Carl Wiederaenders
Copyright © 2007, 2008  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action