Democratic hope primary heralds return to relevance in Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After nearly a decade of disappointing elections, Iowa Democrats hope the primary will begin what they acknowledge could be a slow return to relevance in what has historically been swing state dominated lately by Republicans.
Democratic losses in four straight elections have handed the GOP most of the state's congressional delegation, both legislative chambers and the secretary of state's office. Equally surprising to many Democrats was Donald Trump's nearly 9 percentage point win over Hillary Clinton in 2016, a dramatic change from Barack Obama's two wins in the state.