Bernie Sanders Brings Energy Into Iowa Race, Iowa Democratic Chair Says

(Bloomberg) -- Bernie Sanders has worked his way to the top of a crowded field of Democrats in Iowa through an energetic organization and big rallies that have brought new voters into the caucus process, the Iowa Democratic Party chairman said Friday.

Chairman Troy Price, speaking to a Bloomberg News reporter roundtable in Des Moines, said he wouldn’t predict a winner in Monday’s first-in-the-nation delegate caucus.

But he said it’s undeniable that Sanders’ ability to attract a crowd, as well as his door-knocking operation, have made a difference.

“I think there’s no question that just as he did in 2016, Senator Sanders is activating more people in this process. He’s bringing more energy into this process,” he said.

Price said he attended a Sanders rally last weekend in Sioux City that brought out 1,200 people. “I think I recognized three,” he said, suggesting that many of the attendees were engaging in political rallies for the first time.

Polls show Sanders with a small but growing lead in Iowa, with Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang falling in behind.

He ticked off the reasons each of the candidates could make a strong showing: Biden has campaigned in Iowa for decades. Buttigieg has brought youthful energy to the race. Warren has the most well- established organization. Klobuchar has campaigned in parts of the state that other candidates — and the media — often ignore. And Yang was one of the first to come to Iowa this cycle.

“If there are six candidates all bunched up, they might have a legitimate case to move on to New Hampshire,” he said.

(Disclaimer: Michael Bloomberg is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. He is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News)

To contact the reporter on this story: Gregory Korte in Des Moines at gkorte@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Wendy Benjaminson at wbenjaminson@bloomberg.net, Craig Gordon

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