John,

This week The Hill published an op-ed I wrote on why Democrats struggle in rural areas. I wrote this because the talking-heads from DC and people who are "informed" for a living are always coming up with reasons for why rural areas lean toward Republicans, but they never seem to have met a rural American.

Read Op-ed now

I may not be an academic or a D.C. based journalist, but I'd say I know a few things about rural Democrats. Here's why Republicans win rural counties and states: Money.

For every dollar Democrats spend on federal elections in rural areas, Republicans spend $14.

Twenty percent of registered voters in America live in rural areas, but Democratic-affiliated groups barely spend three percent of their total investments in these areas.

So, why do Democrats struggle in rural areas? Because they don't invest in our rural grassroots movements.

Democrats have created a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because lack of investment has been met with changes in broadcast media, economic concentration, and a far-right movement that tries — despite their authoritarian bent — to speak to rural issues. And thus Democrats rarely win in rural races.

But the truth is we can win. We just need to show up, fight, occasionally lose, sometimes win, fight again, and keep working to build the Democratic coalition in rural America.

I am committed to building this coalition right here and advocating for the small towns and communities that dot our state. And I know that you're committed to the very same mission.

That is why I am so grateful to have you as a part of our grassroots movement. We met our end-of-month goal because of grassroots donors like you, and now we can keep investing in rural Democrats and Iowa's people-powered movements.

Thank you for supporting our campaign and for standing tall for Iowans.

Stand Tall for All,

J.D.