IDP Liberty and Justice Celebration


Friday, November 1, 2019 starting at 6:30 P.M. CDT at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.

13 CANDIDATES: Bennet, Biden, Booker, Bullock, Buttigieg, Castro, Delaney, Harris, Klobuchar, O'Rourke*, Sanders. Steyer, Warren, Yang.

Background: This event was formerly known as the JJ Dinner; the IDP billed it as "the premier event of the Caucus season" and it was one of it not the biggest events of the pre-primary period.  There were major sign war in the morning and most of the candidates held pre-event rallies.  The next day there were several piggyback events: the NAACP Economic Freedom Presidential Town Hall at Drake University and the Accessibility for All Presidential Candidate Forum and 1st Annual Finkenauer Fish Fry in Cedar Rapids.

Not qualifying: Gabbard, Sestak and Williamson.  Quoting CNN, "To qualify for the event, candidates could either open at least two field offices in the state with at least 10 dedicated field organizing staff or buy the Iowa Democratic Party's voter file, according to Jonah Hermann, the spokesman for the state Democratic Party."

*O'Rourke was in Des Moines for the LJ.  In the morning his supporters were out with those of the other campaigns doing visibility near Wells Fargo Arena.  His abrupt and surprise announcement  ending his campaign came online later in the day (+).  He spoke to supporters but did not speak at the dinner.



The speaking order for the featured speakers will be:

Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Vice President Joe Biden
Mr. Andrew Yang
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Kamala Harris
Mr. Tom Steyer
Sen. Bernie Sanders
Sen. Michael Bennet
Rep. Beto O’Rourke
Sec. Julian Castro
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Cory Booker
Rep. John Delaney
Gov. Steve Bullock

This was determined by a random drawing which happened on October 18th.

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Iowa Democratic Party
Oct. 11, 2019

Iowa Democratic Party Announces Speakers for Liberty and Justice Celebration

The premier event of the Caucus season releases public arena seating tickets today 

DES MOINES — Today, the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) announced 14 featured speakers for the Liberty and Justice Celebration on Friday, November 1, at the Wells Fargo Arena. Public arena seating tickets are available for purchase here. 

The annual celebration will feature speeches from 2020 presidential candidates including Sen. Michael Bennet, Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Cory Booker, Gov. Steve Bullock, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sec. Julián Castro, Rep. John Delaney, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mr. Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Mr. Andrew Yang.

The Liberty and Justice Celebration is an opportunity to highlight the strength of the party heading into the 2020 elections, and to celebrate the candidates and campaigns that are organizing to turn Iowa blue in 2020, beginning with the first-in-the-nation caucuses on February 3rd. 
“Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses are a place where real organizing happens. Door-to-door, neighbor-to-neighbor connections are how campaigns are won here in Iowa. We’re fortunate to have so many outstanding presidential candidates who are doing the hard work necessary to win, and that commitment by this year’s speakers will be on display at the Liberty & Justice Celebration,” said IDP Chair Troy Price. “But beyond the presidential campaign, this event is a chance for us as Iowa Democrats to come together and show the world the tremendous energy that exists in our party. Democrats are energized and organized in all corners of the state, and this momentum will propel us to our most successful caucus night ever, and more importantly, Democratic victories up and down the ticket in 2020!”
Each of these confirmed speakers has met a threshold to participate, including signing a pledge to keep the Iowa Caucuses first-in-the-nation beyond 2020.

WHAT: Iowa Democratic Party Liberty and Justice Celebration

WHEN: Friday, November 1, 2019 at 6:30pm CDT; public doors open at 4:30pm CDT
WHERE: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St, Des Moines, IA 50309