With one year to go until the Iowa caucuses, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is announcing her second visit to the state to build upon the momentum of her exploratory campaign for President of the United States. Since her inaugural trip to Iowa in January, Sen. Gillibrand has hit the ground running: earning praise among caucus-goers, securing a key endorsement and announcing senior staff in the state.
Sen. Gillibrand’s early commitment to Iowa and her unique ability to connect with caucus-goers make her a formidable candidate heading into 2020. This weekend, she made her first trip to New Hampshire, talking to primary voters about her progressive record and ability to work across the aisle.
Here’s a look at her next Iowa visit and the work she’s done to lay the groundwork with one year to go until the 2020 Iowa caucuses:
NEW: Gillibrand Announces Next Iowa Visit: Presidents Day 2019
Fresh off of her first swing through Iowa that earned her rave reviews, Sen. Gillibrand will make her second visit to the state on Monday, Feb. 18th in Cedar Rapids. Sen. Gillibrand will meet and greet with Iowans, hear their stories, and share her values of courage and compassion to move our country forward, and depart the following day on February 19th. Details to be announced soon.
Gillibrand Wins Over Iowans in First Visit, Secures Key Endorsement
In her first trip to Iowa, Gillibrand held 10 public events over two days, conducted numerous meetings with local leaders and elected officials and spent time shopping, cooking, drinking coffee and chatting with Iowans and members of the media. The response from caucus-goers was overwhelmingly positive as Gillibrand picked up a key endorsement from Kyla Paterson, chair of the Stonewall Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party.
Here’s what Iowans are saying:
“Other than Obama, she’s the most down to earth. That’s important in politics. If you can project that to nationally? Well, you know, that’s going to strike a chord.” –Tim Bottaro, longtime Sioux City Democratic activist
“People said it was an opportunistic thing, it’s not,” Paterson said of Gillibrand’s Franken criticism. “Either she was going to stand with the rest of the party or she was going to stand on principle. And she stood on principle.” – Kyla Paterson, chair of the Stonewall Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party, on her endorsement of Senator Gillibrand.
“Definitely fangirling her.” – Amy Bannister and Laura Teske, Ames voters
“Crowd is loving Gillibrand today.” – NBC reporter Jane Timm, on Senator Gillibrand Women’s March speech
“But she’s definitely authentic, and you can tell that she cares about people.” – George Lindblade, Iowa Independent
“I didn’t know she was from [upstate New York], so her being from a rural area could help unite us. That does make her more appealing to me.” – Lisa Kahookele, Boone Democrat
“I liked her honesty. I like that she has legislative experience. We need that.” – Jeanette Hopkins, Sioux City resident
“She showed a soft-spoken passion. I felt like she was listening.” – Linda Santi, Sioux City Democrat
“She definitely has a good message for the American people.” – Jakob Miles, Sioux City resident
“I was very impressed by her.” – Diane Desy, Trump supporter from Sioux City
“She’s lovely.” – Lou Ann Lindblade, owner of Sioux City Gifts
“[Gillibrand was] showing that she’s more interested in learning and in the truth, rather than just ideology.” – Laura Teske, Ames voter
Gillibrand Lays Groundwork for Iowa: Announces Senior Iowa Team
On the heels of a successful first trip to Iowa, the Gillibrand campaign announced senior staff hires in Iowa. Lara Henderson, a native Iowan named a rising star by the Des Moines Register, will serve as Iowa State Director. She previously served as Finance Director for Fred Hubbell’s gubernatorial race. Rachel Irwin, the former Midwest Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will serve as Iowa Communications Director. The Gillibrand campaign will continue to staff up in Iowa and build a talented team ahead of the 2020 caucuses.
WATCH: Sen. Gillibrand’s two minute video recapping her first trip to Iowa
Watch this recap of Sen. Gillibrand’s campaign announcement and first Iowa trip, where she met hundreds of caucus-goers and listened to their concerns about the future of our country.
“Senator Gillibrand got it. Keep on talking sister!”