With an expansive field of candidates already taking shape, Rep. John Delaney’s campaign is attempting to maintain the early toehold it has so far in Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo Elections John Delaney expands Iowa 2020 footprint

Maryland Congressman John Delaney is ramping up his Iowa operation, with plans to have 30 full-time staffers on the ground and up to eight offices opened by January, his campaign told POLITICO.

Delaney was the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for president and has heavily invested in the first presidential state of Iowa, having already visited all 99 counties and run television ads in the state.


“We’re encouraged by what we are hearing on the ground across the state,” Delaney campaign spokeswoman Monica Biddix said Friday. “We want to build on our early efforts by ramping up the campaign with staff and offices.”

Biddix said the campaign wants to expand its footprint in the state and “show up everywhere.”

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With an expansive field of candidates already taking shape, Delaney’s campaign is attempting to maintain the early toehold it has so far in Iowa.

Even though Iowa’s competitive midterms saw a flurry of 2020 potential candidates come through, no campaign has held a more expansive presence so far than Delaney’s.

The congressman has already aired seven different TV ads, spending nearly $1 million on TV advertising in Iowa alone.