Photo by Julie Fleming

Most polling in Iowa has shown voters placing Sen. Elizabeth Warren as their preferred second choice option in race, an important advantage for her in the realignment phase of caucus night. But with so many other candidates dropping out before Feb. 3, those second choice movements are already playing out in Warren’s favor beforehand.

Today, state Reps. Jennifer Konfrst and Heather Matson, both of whom were prominent Cory Booker supporters, are endorsing Warren, as are 25 other Polk County elected officials and activists. Several of them were also previously backing a different candidate, which helps Warren drive home the message that she’s the unifier of the party in the primary.

“On Feb. 3, I will proudly stand with Elizabeth Warren in my precinct caucus,” Konfrst said. “Nothing is more important to me than electing a president who has a vision for ensuring everyone in our country has a chance at the American dream.”

Both legislators campaigned often for Booker in the state and were helping organize their precincts.

“I was called to action in this presidential race by a message of civic grace and common purpose, and a sincere desire to heal our country,” Matson said. “And after a long Iowa Caucus campaign, Elizabeth Warren has emerged as the best candidate to defend our shared values, ensure opportunity for all and give a voice to those too often left behind.”

The list of new Polk County endorsers could be particularly impactful for Warren given the county’s outsized role in the Democratic caucus. Nearly 20% of Iowa’s registered Democrats live in Polk County, home to Des Moines, and the county alone accounts for 392 state delegates. The second largest count comes from Cedar Rapids’ Linn County, which has 189 delegates.

The list includes Josh Mandelbaum, a Des Moines City councilman who announced his support for Warren at a Des Moines event this weekend.

There are many other local elected officials on the list, but the biggest pick-up may be Mary McAdams, the leader of the Ankeny Area Democrats. She’s built up a huge volunteer infrastructure in the fast-growing, delegate-rich suburb that was home to Matson’s red-to-blue victory in 2018. Warren was one of two candidates who planned on attending the Ankeny Democrats’ annual fundraiser this past week before it was called off due to the snowstorm.

In an op-ed posted to Iowa Starting Line, Polk County Democratic Chair Sean Bagniewski called McAdams “a genius for volunteer recruitment and engagement.”

Warren is also winning over the chairs of several other Democratic neighborhood groups in Polk County, including Vanessa Phelan, the Northwest Des Moines Area Dems Chair; Suzette Jensen, of the East Des Moines Area Dems; Lila Starr, of the Clive Area Democrats; and Kim El-Baroudi, the Heart of Des Moines Area Dems Co-Chair.

Phelan had endorsed Kamala Harris, Jensen previously backed Steve Bullock, and El-Baroudi was with Booker.

Just last week, Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen endorsed Warren as well.

“I want our next president to bring our nation back together,” Petersen said in a news release. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren for President. All Iowans and all Americans can unite behind her plans for ending corruption and ensuring opportunity.”

Here’s the full list of Polk County leaders and activists who have recently endorsed Warren:

Jennifer Konfrst, Iowa State Representative, Windsor Heights

Heather Matson, Iowa State Representative, Ankeny

Josh Mandelbaum, Des Moines City Councilman, Des Moines

Brian Shipley, Elkhart City Councilman, Elkhart

Steve Zook, Mitchellville City Council, Mitchellville

Ashley Anderson, Urbandale School Board Member, Urbandale

Lori Slings, Southeast Polk School Board President, Altoona

Katie Rock, Polk County Soil and Water Commissioner, Des Moines

Lila Starr, Clive Area Dems Chair, Clive

Mary McAdams, Ankeny Area Dems Chair, Ankeny

Vanessa Phelan, NW Des Moines Area Dems Chair, Des Moines

Suzette Jensen, East Des Moines Area Dems Co-Chair, Des Moines

Kim El-Baroudi, Heart of Des Moines Area Dems Co-Chair, Des Moines

Nick Kruse, IDP Stonewall Caucus Vice Chair, Des Moines

Matt Sinovic, Progressive Activist, Urbandale

Connie Ryan, Faith Leader, Des Moines

Jennifer Harvey, Faith Leader & Professor, West Des Moines

Guy Cunningham, Grand View Professor, Des Moines

Rosemary Kirlin, Activist and Former DAWN’s List President, Des Moines

Dan Chibnall, Former Iowa Library Association President, West Des Moines

Grace Van Cleave, Entrepreneur, Des Moines

Bonnie Brown, Community Activist, Des Moines

Julie Hale, Community Activist, West Des Moines

Antonio Montoya, Community Activist, Clive

Marie Herring, Community Activist, West Des Moines

Mary Kahl, Community Activist, Des Moines

Polly Antonelli, Community Activist, Altoona

by Paige Godden

Posted 1/21/20