Sanders, Biden, Buttigieg split top Tama Co. Democrat backing

Democrats gathered across Tama County Monday night, Feb. 3, as they did the State of Iowa for the nation’s first test for the 2020 presidential nomination. A number of the candidates had campaigned or had high profile representatives work to garner support for them among the Tama County Democrats.

“Tama County and all of our precincts were able to have a smooth and successful caucus for all of those who attended,” Dave Degner, Tama County Democratic Chair, told The News-Herald on Tuesday. “The changes made for this year were effective at simplifying and speeding up the process at the precinct level.”

Delegates were selected to the attend the Tama County Democratic Convention based upon the strength of their candidate’s support among those attending the caucus. The convention is se for March 21 at the South Tama elementary School in Tama.

In addition, county Cental Committee members were elected and party platform planks proposed.

However, Degner said he recognized the problems encountered on up the ladder. “Unfortunately, those noteworthy successes at the precinct level were overshadowed by reporting issues that were out of our hands,” Degner said. “Of course, if given the choice, we will always take accuracy over expediency. So, those delays in the final results were a difficult, but responsible decision that had to be made so that when all numbers were reported publicly, they were verified and accurate.”

He went on to say,” Although the attention has been on those reporting delays, the Iowa Democratic Caucus itself proved to be successful, with large numbers of first time caucus goers, and swing voters attending this year. Thanks again to everyone that made that happen and thanks to everyone that came out to participate in our nomination process!”