Norm Sterzenbach is an American political strategist and principal at the public affairs firm GPS Impact. He was formerly the executive director of the Iowa Democratic Party.[1] Because of his extensive knowledge of the intricacies of the Iowa caucus, he has become known in the state as "Mr. Caucus".[2]
Biography
Sterzenbach was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, into a Democratic union household.[3] His father, Norm Sterzenbach Sr., was a United States Navy veteran and prominent supporter of the Democratic Party in Iowa. He was officially honored by the party shortly before his death in 2017.[4] After receiving his political science degree from the University of Iowa, he began working for the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP), initially as a campaign manager for a targeted race in the Iowa House of Representatives.[3] In 2000, he served as the eastern Iowa field director for Bill Bradley's unsuccessful presidential campaign, and in 2004, he was the American Association of Retired Persons' caucus director. He became the IDP's political and caucus director in 2006,[5] and in the same year, he served as Chet Culver's deputy campaign manager for his successful run for governor of Iowa in that year's gubernatorial election. While working at IDP, he managed the 2008 Iowa Democratic caucuses before being named executive director in 2009.[6] He announced he would be stepping down from his position at the IDP in December 2012,[7] and he was replaced by Troy Price the following month.[8] In 2019, shortly after Sterzenbach had ended his contract as an advisor to the IDP, it was reported that he had been helping Beto O'Rourke organize a series of trips to Iowa, and to help build O'Rourke's potential 2020 campaign staff in the state.[9][2]
References
- ↑ "Iowan Norm Sterzenbach, a key player in the 2020 Iowa caucus". Des Moines Register. 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- 1 2 Siders, David; Korecki, Natasha (2019-03-13). "O'Rourke begins calling top Iowa Democrats". Politico. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- 1 2 "Norm Sterzenbach". GPS Impact. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ↑ Obradovich, Kathie (2017-07-28). "Activist Norm Sterzenbach Sr. dies hours after being honored by Iowa Democrats". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ↑ "IDP Press Release: Announces Norm Sterzenbach". P2008. 2006-12-05. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ↑ "Obama 2012 General Election Campaign Organization, Iowa". P2012. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ↑ "STEPPING DOWN: Dvorsky, Sterzenbach Leaving". WhoTV. 2012-12-06. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ↑ "Top leaders named for Iowa Democratic Party". Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (2019-03-11). "Beto O'Rourke to make first trip to Iowa ahead of possible 2020 run". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2019-03-13.