6 Dem presidential hopefuls in Central City on Saturday

Six 2020 presidential hopefuls will meet with area Democrats on Saturday evening in Central City at the 1st District Democrats' third Passport to Victory.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, former Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, California businessman Tom Steyer and author-lecturer Marianne Williamson will be there to speak with area Democrats.

Former Texas U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Ohio U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan have dropped out so they can participate in events in their states related to mass shootings last weekend in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

Hosted by the Linn, Benton and Jones County Democrats, the Cedar Corridor Passport to Victory is being held on a busy weekend for 2020 hopefuls. Many will have participated in events at the Iowa State Fair and will be attending the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding in Clear Lake on Friday night.

In Central City, candidates will begin speaking at 4 p.m. at the Lynn Dunn Memorial Building on the Linn County Fairgrounds.

They'll have 15 minutes to speak or take questions followed by time to mingle with the 300-plus Democrats expected to attend, said Catherine Crist, 1st District Democratic chairwoman.

'We allow a solid half-hour for people to get to know the speakers and for those candidates to get a better idea of Iowa voters,” she said. 'There'll be time for people to meet the candidates, take selfies and eat.

'This won't be a cattle call with one right after the other,” Crist added.

Before the meet-the-candidates event, the 1st District Democrats will have a 10:30 a.m. workshop for anyone who wants to learn about the caucuses. There will be caucus training and a mock caucus.

In addition, roundtable discussions on climate change, health care and immigration are planned in the afternoon.

First District Democrats have had Passport events in Cresco and Waterloo. Two more are coming up this fall - Sept. 22 in Grinnell and Oct. 20 in Elkader.

The event will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Communication access real-time translation, or CART, will be provided.

Tickets are $30 at the door, $15 for students up to age 18.

' Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com