One Democratic Presidential Candidate and advocates for the other two spoke in front of Des Moines County Democrats at their annual Fall Fundraiser at the Port of Burlington on Saturday.
Former Maryland Governor, Mayor of Baltimore, and Candidate Martin O’Malley spoke at the event. It was his fourth time in Southeast Iowa, and he hit on his trademark themes of gun control, bringing about tuition-free education, and a massive initiative to switch the US Energy Grid over to 100% renewable energy.
O’Malley is third in the polls here in Iowa, with 7% support according to a recent PPP poll. While it’s an improvement over previous numbers, it’s still 18 points behind Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and 50 points behind former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. O’Malley think that his executive experience, something no other candidate has on the Democratic side, will help set him apart and close the gap.
“There [are] usually two tickets out of Iowa,” O’Malley joked, “One of them goes to the candidate who beats expectations, and with only three of us left in the race, there is only one who can still beat expectations.”
New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney spoke at the event as well to advocate for the Clinton Campaign. Pete Delasandro spoke to advocate on behalf of Sanders.
New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.
Around 50 people showed up for the event, which included a lunch. Rob Hubler came to the event from Fairfield to support his favored candidate, O’Malley.
“He’s demonstrated the ability to not only be an progressive, but also be a person who uses action, not just words,” Hubler told KBUR.
Also speaking at the event were Iowa Senator Tom Courtney and Representative Dennis Cohoon.
