Iowa DNC delegates to meet virtually Monday night: Will they unite behind Kamala Harris?

Iowa's delegates to next month's Democratic National Convention are holding a virtual meeting Monday evening to discuss who they are supporting now that President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign.

Several delegates said Monday that they are excited to support Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden endorsed on Sunday, but it's not yet clear whether the full delegation will unite behind her.

Harris is quickly consolidating support across the country, securing key endorsements from national figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as well as would-be rivals for the nomination, like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The Democratic delegations in North Carolina, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida, Tennessee and Pennsylvania have already issued endorsements of Harris.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said Sunday afternoon, hours after Biden dropped out, that his endorsement of Harris "means a great deal" but that delegates would make their own decisions about whom to support.

"His willingness to put his legacy into Kamala Harris’ hands speaks volumes. ... I also am sure that the delegates recognize that this is going to be their decision, their process," Hart said Sunday. "But I absolutely think that Iowa Democrats can rally around Kamala Harris as our nominee, but we are very early in this process so we will see what happens as the hours and days go by going forward."

State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, who is a delegate to this year’s convention, said Monday that he plans to be on the evening call and is looking forward to discussing the issue with the other delegates.

He said he plans to support Harris, but there has not yet been a decision about whether the delegation will come together and endorse her as a unit.

“We have our preferences, I'm sure,” he said. “I have mine. But what we would do collectively? You know, no one can speak on that right now.”

Abdul-Samad said that he is “sure that our delegation will come together.”

“This convention is historical, you know, and it will determine the future,” he added. “I'm honored, you know, and grateful to be part of history.”

State Rep. Adam Zabner, D-Iowa City, is also a delegate to the convention.

Zabner plans to support Harris, who he said presents a clear contrast to Donald Trump, particularly on issues like abortion access.

"She’s ready to go, she’s been tested, she’s served as vice president and she’s the clear pick for me," he said Monday.

Zabner said each of the delegates will ultimately make their own decision about whom to support.

"I think that’s really important to make sure that we have those conversations," he said. "We take this really seriously because it’s a big decision, but I ultimately think that supporting the vice president is the right call.

Adam Peters, another delegate, has also pledged to support Harris. He said Monday he was in shock when Biden announced he was dropping out.

"But seeing him endorse Kamala moments later after his first statement, that’s all I needed to move forward with my personal pledge," Peters said. "She is ready, she has been the vice president for three and a half years. We do not have a person in a better position than her to win this election."

Peters said he doesn't think the party has any time to lose.

"I know a lot of Democrats who are saying they don’t want to coronate someone are a little bit skeptical, but we did have an open primary," he said. "Anyone could run against Joe Biden and the only two people that did were Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. We don’t have time to have a blitz primary now as some people in the media are suggesting. We need to coalesce."

Peters said he's eager to hear from the other delegates at Monday's meeting to see how everyone is thinking. He said he's spoken to over a dozen delegates already, all of whom intend to support Harris.

"I don’t know what is going to come out of this meeting," he said. "I hope that everyone is as excited as I am, but every single person is different, and it will be interesting to see what happens."

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She is also covering the 2024 presidential race for USA TODAY as a senior national campaign correspondent. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Will Iowa DNC delegates unite behind Kamala Harris for president?