Iowa Democrats name Eadon state party chairman

DES MOINES — Political consultant Derek Eadon said he believes his election Saturday as the Iowa Democratic Party's state chairman signals Democrats want to heal internal divisions and chart a fresh course to reverse losses in the past two election cycles.

'I think that new approach is something that appealed with folks,' Eadon, 33, of West Des Moines, told reporters after emerging as the winner in a seven-way contest to succeed chairwoman Andy McGuire.

Eadon will serve a two-year term.

A party organizer and activist who served as state director for former President Barack Obama's Iowa campaign in 2012, Eadon attributed Saturday's success to the positive vision for the party he laid out to central committee members split in the 2016 campaign between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

'I think my approach appealed to both sides,' Eadon said.

He said his first order of business would be to create an inclusive, 'positive culture' within the party, focus on outreach to rural areas and hold Republicans accountable for their attacks on collective bargaining, health care and public education.

'Folks are frustrated with the way things have been going, that the Democratic Party really hasn't learned our lessons. And I think today's vote shows that there is unity behind a candidate that is interested in moving forward and also being very aggressive,' he said.

'The issues we face with Republicans are far bigger than the differences that we have.'

Eadon said building a successful organization is more than just putting field staff on the ground and knocking on door. More focus must be placed on listening and building relationships, he added.

The others who sought the party's top leadership post are Sandy Dockendorff of Danville, Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs, Bob Krause of Fairfield, Blair Lawton of West Des Moines, Kurt Meyer of St. Ansgar and Kim Weaver of Sheldon.

Eadon said he thinks Democrats failed last election cycle in tapping the economic frustration voters feel, especially in rural areas, over stagnant wages and job opportunities that are at the core of his party's message. '

'As Democrats, we need to make sure that we're always framing our message through that economic lens, and not just saying we're not the Republicans,' he said.

'I think we got a little bit too focused on our opponents in 2014 and 2016. We give lots of reasons to vote against Republicans, but we need to give people reasons to vote for Democrats.'

Eadon's company, Bluprint Strategies, focused on campaign issues and digital outreach, which included work on climate change, clean energy, gun control, child poverty, early childhood education, workplace issues, campaign finance reform, fair courts, anti-fraud, and anti-smoking efforts.

He said he planned to terminate the business to focus his full attention on his new job as state party chairman, which is a paid position.