Longtime activist, campaign operative to head Iowa Democratic Party

Longtime Iowa Democratic Party activist and campaign operative Troy Price has been elected to lead the party into the 2018 election campaign.

Price, 36, was elected Saturday in Des Moines by the party's State Central Committee. He succeeds Derek Eadon, who was elected earlier this year but resigned in June because of health reasons.

In asking for committee members' votes, Price called for a 'brighter, progressive future for Iowa.” Although the party faces challenges, he said its 'commitment to protecting good, union jobs, growing our economy, protecting women's rights, and making health care affordable for every family will never waver.”

Longtime activists Bob Krause and Julie Stauch also sought the chairmanship.

Price, who was raised in Durant, is a 2004 graduate of the University of Iowa. An LGBT rights advocate, he once served as the party's executive director and also worked for Govs. Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver.

He said he traveled 1,800 miles in the past couple of weeks to meet with local party activists. Based on those conversations, he said, the party is ready to go to work.

'But we're only going to be able to get to work if our party is working well,” he said.

'Unfortunately, it's hard to say that's been the case over the last couple of cycles. We've lost the trust of the very people we're trying to help. Our message is fractured. We're focused too much on antiquated ideas and old thoughts and not enough on finding solutions.”

The good news, he said, is Iowa Democrats are motivated by an unpopular president and Gov. Kim Reynolds' efforts to move the state backward.

He called for a unified message that appeals to everyone, fighting for a higher minimum wage and a higher living wage, health care and education, as well as collective bargaining rights.

Krause said the party needs a 'bad cop,” someone who will attack Republicans.

Stauch called for bold action to reinvigorate the party. Being cautious, she warned,” is the biggest risk the party you'll ever take.”

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