DES MOINES, Iowa — After what Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart has described as a disappointing 2024 election cycle, the party once again re-elected her as chair earlier this month.

Now, with the Trump administration in office and Iowa’s 91st General Assembly well underway, Hart is looking at ways Iowa Democrats can be hopeful for the future.

“There is a big change between where we are as a party today than where we were two years ago when I started as chair,” said Hart. “…and I told folks regardless of what the results were of the election, we have made tremendous progress and that is success in itself…we’ve been able to really think about all the things that need to be done between now and 2026.”

Iowa Democrats lost three Iowa House seats and one Iowa Senate seat, and the party did not flip one of Iowa’s four congressional districts. Hart talked about the financial footing for the party getting solidified over the last two years and Iowa Democrats saw a growing volunteer base after Vice President Kamala Harris took over the top of the ticket.

Hart believes that with the party in what she considers good standing, the party has an opportunity to message party priorities around the state.

“We have a lot of rural democrats,” said Hart. “I live out in a very rural area. We are very concerned about what’s happening in the state of Iowa as a result of the Reynolds administration. The fact that our population is shifting from the rural areas to the urban areas is concerning. The fact that we don’t have hospitals close to us, that some of them are closing down, that not everybody who lives in a rural area can get to a grocery store in a reasonable fashion. These are the things that we don’t have accessible, and affordable child care. These are the issue I am talking to rural Iowans about.”

Hart discussed federal policy and Trump tariffs, highlighting how it might impact the Iowa farmer and Iowa consumer. And even though Iowa voted for Trump and re-elected all four of the incumbent Congressional Republicans, there is still a role for the Iowa Democrats to push for policy that will benefit those in the state.

“Just because you are in the majority and you have the power doesn’t necessarily mean that what you are trying to get done is good for all of Iowa,” said Hart. “So it’s up to the minority to make sure that those voices are being heard.”

Hart pointed to 2026 as even bigger than 2024 elections, with four congressional races again, a U.S. Senate race and a gubernatorial election.