Brian McLain is a co-chair of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Platform Committee and former chair of the party’s Progressive Caucus.

Every two years, hundreds of Iowa Democratic Party members come together to determine the direction they want the Party to go. It is a long process requiring hours of meetings, debate, and discussion that eventually culminates in a single document, offering a picture of where the base stands on the issues at the time. It is truly one of the most democratic processes that one can take part in and a testament to what can be achieved in a party whose members don’t always see eye to eye with each other.

Typically this document is available on the Iowa Democratic Party website after the bi-annual convention. However, for some unknown reason the 2026 platform has not been published yet. So in honor of the hard work that the Platform Committee has put into this document, we are taking it upon ourselves to bring the platform to you through this medium.

Pete D’Alessandro is co-founder of Campaign in a Box, a national consulting firm that specializes in progressive and first-time candidates. He lives in Des Moines and submitted this commentary prior to the Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee meeting on January 28.

Two years ago, just after winning a seat on the Democratic National Committee, Jodi Clemens—who is one of the best grassroots organizers I have ever been around—ran for Iowa Democratic Party chair. Through the efforts of some longstanding establishment types, she was denied the position. I came to learn (off the record, of course) the winner’s positive qualities included not being “a Bernie person.” I think “Bernie person” is establishment code for not being “in the club.”

A full election cycle has passed, and we can now look at the results of that choice to bear hug the right-of-center, hide-under-your-desk establishment: total ballot box disaster.