Clinton opens Ames campaign office

Former+Planned+Parenthood+CEO+Jill+June+speaks+to+Hillary+Clinton+supporters+at+her+Ames+campaign+office+open+house+on+Tuesday%2C+June+30.+Clinton+was+not+in+attendance.

By Matthew Rezab, [email protected]

Former Planned Parenthood CEO Jill June speaks to Hillary Clinton supporters at her Ames campaign office open house on Tuesday, June 30. Clinton was not in attendance.

Shannon Mccarty

Hillary Clinton is ramping up her efforts in Iowa this week. The Democratic presidential candidate is officially opening 10 offices from the Missouri to the Mississippi rivers.

Campaign organizers hosted an open house at their new office at 116 Kellogg Ave. on Tuesday evening. Organizers encouraged supporters to commit to Clinton for the Iowa Caucus, which is on Feb. 1, 2016.

The campaign will be holding open houses as a chance to introduce itself to the community, and get the word out about what Clinton stands for. 

As of now the office is focusing strictly on the Iowa Caucus. Because Iowa is considered a swing state, there is potential for the office to stay open after the caucus, said Patrick Burgwinkle, the Clinton campaign’s Iowa Press Secretary. 

Burgwinkle described the office as a “hub of activity”. He said organizers will use the office as a gathering place to generate support for the campaign.

Clinton supporters are staying active, from hosting a book club on Clinton’s book “Hard Choices”, to visiting with supporters at the Ames farmer’s market, to hosting a tye-dye party Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m.

“Anytime we can get folks together and have a conversation about Hillary Clinton we’re going to make that happen,” Burgwinkle said.

Former Iowa Democratic Party Chair and Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson, and former President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Jill June, both shared their support for the former senator and secretary of state to a crowd of about 70 people.

The women spoke about Clinton’s commitment to families, voting rights and equality for women and immigrants. Pederson and June encouraged the crowd to go out and rally support.

“She can’t do this without our help,” Pederson said.

Jill June said that Clinton’s competitor, Bernie Sanders, does have some very good ideas, but that Clinton’s powerful presence will win people over.

“They are much more likely to vote for Hillary Clinton,” June said.

Clinton, is one of four candidates running for the Democratic presidential nomination. Clinton’s competitors include Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee.