Iowa’s Political Strategies: Lessons for Wisconsin Democrats Under Devin Remiker

June 16, 2025 | Boncopia.com

A New Path for WisDems in a Shifting Political Landscape

On June 15, 2025, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin (WisDems) elected Devin Remiker as its new chairman at its state convention in Wisconsin Dells, setting an ambitious course for the 2026 midterm elections. As a swing state with a history of tight races, Wisconsin shares parallels with Iowa, a former battleground that has trended decisively Republican in recent years. Iowa’s political strategies—marked by Democratic struggles, GOP dominance, and emerging opportunities—offer critical lessons for Remiker and WisDems as they aim for a Democratic “trifecta” in 2026. By examining Iowa’s tactics, WisDems can refine their approach to mobilize voters, counter GOP strategies, and maintain Wisconsin’s competitive edge.

Devin Remiker’s Vision: Strengthening WisDems for 2026

Devin Remiker, a 32-year-old former WisDems executive director, secured the chairmanship with 485 votes in a ranked-choice election, defeating Joe Zepecki and William Garcia. Building on outgoing chairman Ben Wikler’s legacy, which raised $262 million and secured victories in 10 of 13 statewide races since 2019, Remiker’s platform emphasizes year-round organizing, grassroots engagement, and leveraging Wisconsin’s newly fair legislative maps. His call to “hit the gas” targets key 2026 races, including the governor’s seat, 17 state Senate seats, and a state Supreme Court position.

Iowa, once a swing state like Wisconsin, has shifted rightward, with Donald Trump winning by 9.4% in 2016, 8.2% in 2020, and 13.2% in 2024. Despite this, Iowa Democrats’ efforts to regain ground through grassroots organizing and issue-driven campaigns provide insights for WisDems navigating Wisconsin’s purple terrain.web:17,18

Iowa’s Political Landscape: From Swing State to Red State

Iowa’s political history mirrors Wisconsin’s in its swing-state roots. From its statehood in 1846 until 1988, Iowa leaned Republican, voting for GOP presidential candidates in all but five elections. From 1988 to 2012, it voted Democratic in six of seven presidential elections, with Barack Obama winning by 9% in 2008 and 6% in 2012. However, Trump’s 2016 and 2020 victories, followed by a landslide in 2024, confirmed Iowa’s shift to a “moderately red” state, voting 13.7% right of the nation in 2024. Republicans hold a trifecta (governor, House, Senate) and triplex (governor, attorney general, secretary of state), with all four U.S. House seats and both Senate seats.web:8,17

Iowa’s political geography features Democratic strongholds in urban Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, contrasted by conservative rural areas and small cities like Sioux City. This urban-rural divide parallels Wisconsin’s, with Milwaukee and Madison anchoring Democratic support against rural Republican dominance. Iowa’s less diverse electorate (84% non-Hispanic white) and low Latino turnout (3% of voters) differ from Wisconsin’s growing Latino population, but both states share a significant independent voter base (38% in Wisconsin, 34% in Iowa).web:11,19

Iowa’s Political Strategies: Lessons for WisDems

Iowa’s Democratic strategies, despite recent losses, offer a model for WisDems to emulate or adapt. Here are key tactics and their relevance to Wisconsin:

1. Grassroots Organizing and Retail Politics

Iowa’s caucus system, the first-in-the-nation presidential contest since 1972, emphasizes retail politics—candidates meeting voters in cafes, homes, and factories. Barack Obama’s 2008 caucus win, driven by grassroots organizing, propelled his national campaign. Iowa Democrats, led by figures like Heather Williams of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, continue to invest in door-knocking and local engagement, as seen in Mike Zimmer’s 2025 special election win in a conservative state Senate district.web:2,9

WisDems, with their year-round organizing model, can adopt this by expanding grassroots efforts in Milwaukee and suburban Waukesha County. Relational organizing—using trusted community leaders—could boost turnout in competitive districts, as Iowa’s caucus system relies on personal connections.

2. Mobilizing Urban and Independent Voters

Iowa Democrats focus on urban centers like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, where Biden improved margins in 2020. The 2024 Iowa Poll showed Kamala Harris leading Trump 47%–44% among likely voters, driven by independent women (57%–29%) and older women, highlighting the power of independents (34% of Iowa voters). However, low turnout (20% in caucuses) and GOP rural strength limited Democratic gains.

WisDems can replicate this by targeting Milwaukee’s urban voters and Wisconsin’s independents (38% per 2024 Marquette polls), particularly in suburban Waukesha and Ozaukee counties, where educated voters are trending Democratic. Emphasizing early voting, as Iowa Democrats did with mail-in ballots in 2024, can counter low turnout.

3. Issue-Driven Campaigns

Iowa Democrats emphasize public education, healthcare, and reproductive rights. Mike Zimmer’s 2025 state Senate win focused on public school funding, resonating in a conservative district. A 2024 Iowa Poll noted 20% of voters prioritized democracy, with women citing abortion rights as a key issue. Wisconsin Democrats have leveraged abortion, with 57% of voters opposing restrictive laws per a 2023 Marquette poll. Remiker can amplify messaging on education, healthcare, and personal freedoms, appealing to urban and suburban voters in Racine and Green Bay, as Iowa did in Clinton.

4. Contesting Competitive Races

Iowa Democrats have targeted winnable races, as seen in Zimmer’s 2025 flip of a Republican Senate seat by 4 points, despite the district’s 22-point GOP lean in 2022. Contesting all races, as North Carolina Democrats did in 2024, boosts top-of-ticket turnout. WisDems can adopt this by fielding candidates in all legislative districts, leveraging fair maps to compete in areas like Eau Claire, mirroring Iowa’s focus on winnable seats.

5. Countering GOP Narratives

Iowa’s GOP dominates with messages on border security and economic stability, flipping rural and working-class voters. Democrats counter by framing Republicans as extreme, as seen in Zimmer’s campaign against GOP education cuts. WisDems face similar GOP narratives, like voter ID measures. Remiker can adopt Iowa’s tactic of highlighting GOP extremism, while emphasizing bipartisan issues like infrastructure to appeal to independents, as Iowa Democrats did in 2024.

Challenges and Opportunities for WisDems

Iowa’s rightward shift, with Trump’s 13.2% win in 2024, warns WisDems against complacency after their 2024 presidential loss. Iowa’s low caucus turnout (20%) and GOP rural dominance highlight the need for sustained urban and suburban engagement. Wisconsin’s more diverse electorate offers an advantage, but GOP gains with working-class voters, as seen in Iowa’s northeast, require targeted outreach.

Iowa’s successes, like Zimmer’s 2025 win, show Democrats can compete in conservative areas with strong messaging. Wisconsin’s fair maps, like Iowa’s competitive districts, create opportunities to flip legislative seats. Remiker can leverage Wisconsin’s urban strength and suburban trends, as Iowa did in Des Moines, to build a winning coalition.

Remiker’s Roadmap: Applying Iowa’s Lessons

Remiker’s leadership team, including First Vice Chair Sarah Godlewski and Second Vice Chair Joshua Taylor, can adapt Iowa’s tactics with Wisconsin’s fundraising strength. Key priorities include:

• Grassroots Organizing: Expand door-knocking and relational organizing in Milwaukee and suburbs, as Iowa’s caucus system emphasizes.

• Urban/Independent Mobilization: Target Milwaukee’s diverse voters and independents in Waukesha, mirroring Iowa’s 2024 focus on women and independents.

• Issue-Driven Messaging: Emphasize education, healthcare, and reproductive rights, as Iowa’s Zimmer did in 2025.

• Contesting All Races: Field candidates in every district to boost turnout, inspired by Iowa’s targeted campaigns.

• Countering GOP Narratives: Frame Republicans as extreme, while appealing to independents with economic issues, as Iowa Democrats did in 2024.

Why This Matters

Iowa and Wisconsin, once swing-state peers, face similar urban-rural divides and GOP challenges. Iowa’s strategies—grassroots organizing, urban/independent mobilization, and issue-driven campaigns—offer WisDems a blueprint to secure 2026 victories. As Remiker leads WisDems forward, adapting these tactics could shape Wisconsin’s political future and inform national Democratic strategies in battleground states.

Thought-Provoking Questions for Readers:

1. How can WisDems under Devin Remiker replicate Iowa’s grassroots organizing to boost turnout in Wisconsin’s urban and suburban areas?

2. What lessons from Iowa’s focus on independent and women voters can WisDems apply to engage Wisconsin’s independent electorate in 2026?

3. Can WisDems counter GOP rural strength as effectively as Iowa Democrats did in targeted races, and what issues might drive their campaign?

Sources: Information compiled from Wisconsin Examiner, NBC26, WisPolitics, Marquette University Law, Iowa PBS, Wikipedia, Iowa Democrats, CBS News, NPR, 270toWin, Des Moines Register, New York Times, and posts on X. For more on U.S. News & Politics, visit Boncopia.com.web:2,5,8,11,13,17,18,19,20,21