Opposing view: Our caucuses represent true democracy

Every four years, the eyes of the world turn to Iowa, and they do so with good reason — because here in Iowa, our caucuses represent true participatory democracy.

Iowans take our role in the presidential nominating process seriously, and we have a long history of supporting candidates who can connect with voters and bring about progressive change to our government.

On Feb. 3, Iowans will gather at more than 1,700 meetings to talk about the issues affecting our country, engage in spirited debate with friends and neighbors, and determine who should lead our country forward.

As someone who has spent a career knocking on doors and connecting with constituents to move the needle of progress for all Americans, I know that grassroots organizing is the most effective way for candidates to learn about the issues and find solutions that will truly benefit our communities.

Iowa is one of the last places where retail politics happens in a presidential race. You don’t need to have a lot of money or name recognition to be a candidate for president in Iowa. Candidates have to go to coffee shops and barber shops, VFW halls and tiendas, churches and grain elevators, big cities and small towns.

When candidates meet with voters in their communities instead of on the airwaves, they have to answer tough questions and turn conversations into policies that address our most pressing concerns — like jobs, health care, immigration, climate change, income and racial inequality, and more.

Iowa is a “purple” state. And if we Democrats are going to win back swing voters in the Midwest, we need candidates who can engage those voters, identify solutions, bring more voices into our party and keep voters motivated to November and beyond.

Iowa is a place that makes candidates stronger and builds our party’s bench. It’s a place where community engagement and grassroots organizing produce true participatory democracy fitting of a first-in-the-nation state.