Midwest Democrats jockeying to come out on top in primary calendar shake-up

[brooklynite]

The Hill

Midwestern states are battling to be bumped up to a coveted early slot in the Democratic presidential nominating calendar, jump-starting what election watchers say could be a big shake-up ahead of the 2024 election.

Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois are among the states hoping to exert more influence and help diversify a lineup — led by the largely rural and predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire — that many Democrats say doesn’t represent the party’s true strength.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has announced 17 finalists to be among the first four or five, including Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois and all four current early primary states. State party officials began drafting proposals earlier this year and are set to make their cases to the body’s regulatory committee later this month.

Proponents of Michigan and Minnesota point to them being critical swing states that helped elect President Biden. Geography matters too, they say. If Iowa gets the boot from its traditional role as the first-in-the-nation caucus state, either state would provide an alternative in the Midwest.

[Midnight Writer]

1. I like Iowa, but it doesn't make sense to me for them to be in such an influential position.

They are not as diverse as the nation as a whole, economically, geographically, religiously, culturally, and therefore not as representative. No major cities, and the ones they have, while nice, still have a rural feel to them. Candidates who do well in Iowa may not have the same appeal in other States.

The State has turned more and more conservative and more Republican in recent years. It doesn't make sense for them to have such an outsized influence, as the winner in Iowa is instantly dubbed the "frontrunner".

The caucus system they use there is complicated and not necessarily democratic, as fewer people participate and deals are often struck within the caucuses to determine a winner.

I love Iowa, but it is time for another State to have a turn.