She has been the leader of the Iowa Democratic Party for less than a week, but already Ames resident Sheila Riggs has her sights set on the 2002 elections.”Iowa has never had an incumbent Democratic governor and senator up for re-election on the same ballot,” Riggs said. “The implications? Our opportunity to win it up and down the ballot in 2002.”She said the Democratic Party did not close up shop after the Nov. 7 election. They will continue on full-campaign mode until the Democrats take over the statehouse and re-elect U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and Gov. Tom Vilsack, Riggs said.Lt. Governor Sally Pederson introduced Riggs as the new chairwoman during a press conference Feb. 6. Riggs took over for Rob Tully as the head of the party after a unanimous vote from the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee, Riggs said. “Sheila is a proven organizer and fundraiser,” said Sarah Leonard, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party. “She has the ability to get Democrats excited about campaigning, which will get more people involved. She is excited about getting more local people involved.”Riggs said her duties include working to increase voter turnout, recruit strong candidates for office, communicate the democratic message and raise money for the party.Leonard said Riggs will be the main voice for the Democratic Party in Iowa. In fact, Leonard said, the new chairwoman’s first official act as chair was a visit to Iowa State. Riggs attended a panel discussion on political parties as part of the political science class that is looking at Election 2000.”I was pleased to see the number of hands that were raised that were involved in a political party,” Riggs said. “Then, the number of hands raised who participated in the election was lower than I had expected.”Riggs said she is worried that so many young, bright minds educated in Iowa didn’t participate in Election 2000. “I wouldn’t want anyone who would feel disenfranchised to stop participating,” she said.Education continues to be the top priority at both the state and federal level, Riggs said. “There needs to be more investment in education both on the federal and state levels,” Riggs said. “The governor’s agenda includes student achievement and teacher pay as a top priority. I am hopeful that the Republicans don’t give so many tax cuts that we can’t invest in public education.”Riggs said she has been active with the Democratic Party since her college days. While attending the University of Iowa, she was secretary of the Johnson County Democratic Central Committee, she said. At Harvard, she said she served on the campaigns of Democratic candidates trying to win the New Hampshire primary. Riggs said she is looking forward to getting college students involved in the political process.”I extend a very big invitation to all ISU students who would like to get involved,” she said. “It’s a great way to perform some civic duties.”