Demographic changes in the 1940's and 50's helped lay a foundation for Democratic success in the late 1950's. During World War Two thousands of Iowans flocked to large cities to take advantage of war time jobs. By 1960 more Iowans resided in urban areas than rural areas. [1]
Iowa's industrial areas were not concentrated in one town, but spread out over the state's 15 largest cities. Along with industry developing across the state this also led to Democratic strongholds spreading across Iowa as well. This demographic change translated into Democratic success first in Iowa's largest city Des Moines. There Democrats identified and registered thousands of new supporters. In 1954 Democrats "won control of the Polk County Board of Supervisors, every county administrative seat, and [...] all of Polk County's state legislative seats. [2]
Taking advantage of internal Republican strife and backing from organized labor Democrat Herschel Loveless won an upset victory against incumbent Republican Governor Leo Hoegh in the 1956 election. Two years later Loveless would win reelection and Democrats would capture 50 State House members, 12 State Senators, and 4 Congressional Seats.[3] In 1960 Iowa's Government would revert back to Republican control. However, during the 1960's and 70's Iowa Democrats used their success in Polk County as model that was repeated across Iowa in organizing Democratic supporters. While Democrats would suffer large defeats in 1966 and 1968 Governor Hughes would go on to win three terms in office. Democrats were able to rebound electorally in the 1970's in part to John C. Culver and Richard C. Clark. They accomplished this by used computer models in a precinct by precinct basis to run issue driven campaigns. [4] Both would be elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972 and 1974, respectfully. Republicans would once again regain party dominance in the late 1970's, but Democrats remained a competitive party in Iowa.
Mwsande/sandbox | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Sue Dvorsky |
| House leader | Kevin M. McCarthy Minority leader |
| Senate leader | Jeff Danielson President Pro Tempore, Mike Gronstal Majority Leader |
| Ideology | Progressivism American Liberalism Center-left |
| National affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Official colors | Blue |
| Political position | Fiscal: Centre-left Social: Center-left |
| Seats in the US Senate | 1 / 2
|
| Seats in the US House | 3 / 5
|
| Seats in the IA Senate | 26 / 50
|
| Seats in the IA House | 40 / 100
|
| IA statewide offices held | 2 / 7
|
| Website | |
| http://www.iowademocrats.org | |