Somewhere between chaos and an abundance of caution, the results of the Iowa Democratic caucuses were dwelling unreported when the clock struck midnight at the end of Monday, Feb. 3.
After months of build up and some $50 million in campaign spending, the delay in results have frustrated the Democratic candidates and left a black mark against the heartland’s system of personalized politics.
Between near-record turnout, new reporting rules aimed at greater transparency and a new mobile app largely unfamiliar to precinct captains, things went badly wrong for Iowa Democrats, until the media signed off and the world turned away with a shrug.
Troy Price, chairperson of the Iowa Democratic Party, will have a lot of questions to answer Tuesday and in the coming days. Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Bryce Smith of Adel was not available for comment Tuesday night.
Things ran more smoothly for Iowa Republicans, with Perry-area voters gathering at the Perry Public Library, where a spillover crowd packing the facility meeting room. Voters from Perry 1, 2, and 3, along with Spring Valley, were in attendance.
President Donald J. Trump was not the only GOP candidate for the highest office in the land, as former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh and former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld were also on the ballot. Neither of the challengers garnered any votes.
Voters watched a video message from former U.S. Rep. David Young, who is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, the West Des Moines Democrat who unseated Young in 2018.
Several speakers rose to voice approval of the president and to encourage activism among party faithful while also supporting others on the ballot, chiefly Young and incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.
Minor party business was attended to after the one-ballot voting, with the meeting dispersing after about 60 minutes.
