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Today’s Links:  
The Hill – “Midwest Democrats jockeying to come out on top in primary calendar shake-up”
Chicago Sun Times – “Strong Democratic Party of Illinois bid to become early presidential primary” state

Minnesota Post – “DFL hopes its ‘Democracy’s North Star’ pitch wins Minnesota an early presidential primary spot“
Politico – “Michigan Dems launch lobbying effort to earn early 2024 primary” 

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

For years, New Hampshire and Iowa have been first in the nation for their presidential primary and caucus.  A place where presidential candidates come, visit diners, eat corn dogs, and practice their stump speeches.   Their audience?  Most rural white people.   Now it appears that three upper midwestern states are vying for a chance to be the new proving ground.

Reports in The Hill suggest that the Democratic National Committee have put Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois in the the top tier of contenders along with existing early states, New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina.  Despite its overwhelmingly white population, New Hampshire has been a purple state over the last two decades, has an engaged electorate, and a small media market.  Solidly red Iowa appears to be on the bubble, trying to get out from under the cloud of a 2020 caucus which was mired in technical problems. 

Michigan’s Democratic leadership touts its diverse mix of voters, economic drivers, education and geography – and voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020.    Minnesota, for years a Democratic bastion, is turning purple as well, but  boasts strong rural Democratic voters and a history of support for unions.   And Illinois claims it has the most diversity, and an opportunity for candidates to hone their messages for a wider base of national voters. 

Current early states are actively defending their spots, and the financial windfall and political power that comes with it.  States are expected to make their formal pitches to the DNC later this month.

The Hill’s article on the primary selection process is linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” 

For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.