All eyes on Iowa

The national spotlight will blind the Hawkeye State Jan. 15 when Republicans select their top choice for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination during the Iowa Caucuses.

The highly-anticipated event will cap more than a year of campaigning. O'Brien County GOP Central Committee Chair Denny Werkmeister is looking forward to the big event and anticipated great attendance.

"I'm predicting a big crowd," he said. "If things turn out the way they usually do every four years, there should be a lot of people there."

O'Brien County Republicans will hold their caucus in one location – at the H-M-S High School – beginning at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15. Doors and registration open at 5:30 p.m., and participants are encouraged to come early to register. In Clay County, Republicans will meet at the Spencer Middle School at the same time.

Werkmeister made a pitch to first-time caucus-goers who may be on the fence about attending next week.

"You've gotta be part of the process if you want to change things, and you've gotta learn how things are done," he said. "You're going to have fun night. You'll be meeting new people, having discussions and they're going to be trying to sway you one way or the other on a candidate. It's a lot of fun."

Prior to voting on their presidential preferences, candidate representatives will be allowed to speak on their behalf. Once the vote is taken, standard party business will be conducted.

Caucus-goers should bring a valid form of ID with them on Jan. 15. If you are not a registered Republican but plan to register on caucus night, a valid form of ID and proof of address will be required. A full list of examples is available by visiting the Iowa GOP's website.

Republican presidential candidates include: Former president Donald Trump, former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Rod DeSantis, and Ryan Binkley,

Several candidates ended their campaigns prior to the Iowa Caucuses and are no longer in contention. They include: Sen. Tim Scott, former vice president Mike Pence, Will Hurd, Francis Suarez, Larry Elder, Perry Johnson, and Doug Burgum.

• Democrats meeting, too

Iowa Democrats will hold their annual organizational meetings on Jan. 15 as well. Only regular annual business will be conducted, as the party is doing a mail-in presidential preference format this year.

Clay County Democrats will meet at the Spencer Community Administration Building, 23 E 7th St., Spencer, at 7 p.m. O'Brien County Democrats will meet at the same time at the O'Brien County Courthouse in Primghar.

Democrats wishing to participate in the mail-in presidential preference vote have until Feb. 19 to request a card. Preference cards will start being mailed out on Jan. 12. More information and request form can be found online at www. iowademocrats.org.

Democratic presidential candidates include: President Joe Biden, Marianne Williamson, and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minnesota).