- Pritzker Fellows
- Former Fellows
- Sue Dvorsky
Sue Dvorsky
Former Chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party
Biography
Sue Dvorsky spent 36 years of her professional career as a proud public-school teacher and NEA union activist in the Iowa City Community School District. She taught students with multiple physical and cognitive challenges, advocated for them and their families, and supported her colleagues through her work in the Iowa City Education Association.
Campaigning for the rights and supports necessary for her students and their families led to volunteer organizing for Tom Vilsack, the first Democratic Iowa Governor in 30 years. She was the Johnson County caucus chairperson for Senator Bill Bradley in 2000, Representative Dick Gephardt in 2004, and Chet Culver’s successful gubernatorial run in 2006. In 2007, Sue co-chaired the Johnson County caucus and general election campaign of Senator Barack Obama.
Sue became the Vice Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party in 2008, and the Chairwoman in 2010. She held that position through the re-election of President Obama. More than 2 years and 75,000 miles later, more than 25,000 Iowans caucused for the sitting President, and he was re-elected by nearly 6 points in Iowa.
Returning home in 2013, Sue joined the staff of the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties, as the Community Engagement Director. Oversight of the grant application process of the 32 partner agencies, capacity building and special projects provided a slightly different twist on community organizing.
In 2015, Sue returned to politics as the Women’s Engagement Director for the Hillary Clinton caucus and general election campaign. In that capacity, she hit the road again, and built numerous campaign events, expanded capacity, and spoke on the Secretary’s behalf in hundreds of large and small venues across Iowa.
Sue and her husband, State Senator Bob Dvorsky, reside in Coralville, Iowa. They were married during the caucus season in 1988. He supported Secretary Bruce Babbitt. She supported Senator Paul Simon. The wedding guests were seated accordingly. They have two daughters, Ann, 28. and Caroline, 26. Sue is a graduate of the University of Iowa, undergraduate in 1976 and College of Education Master’s degree in 1992.
Seminars
“The Road to the White House Begins in Iowa”
*This is a joint seminar series with Matt Strawn
There’s an old saying in national political circles that no politician ever goes to Iowa by accident. So, why do leading national politicians find themselves in the summer smiling in photo ops in front of the Iowa State Fair Butter Cow, and often driving through blizzards on two-lane rural highways to townhall meetings in the winter? It’s because they want to be President of the United States of America and Iowa is where it all begins.
The kickoff seminar led jointly by former Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky and former Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn will provide an overview and history of the Iowa Presidential Caucuses, how the Caucuses grew in importance to the presidential nomination process, and why Iowa’s approach to vetting presidential candidates has been instrumental in maintaining its unique position in American politics.
So what exactly happens when Iowa’s Republican and Democratic activists gather simultaneously with their neighbors at over 1,700 different locations on a cold winter night to register their presidential nominee preference?
These seminars take you inside the process from two different perspectives - from inside the campaigns themselves and from the party leaders who have had to organize, manage and oversee the entire volunteer-led process.
What is the current state of play? Who’s in, and who’s out? What are the new rules, and how will they change the dynamics in the “room where it happens?” How do the subsequent states, and the calendar, make the Iowa Caucuses more or less important? Watch this space… What happens next?
Come prepared with your questions and be ready to engage in a lively conversation. Almost like being in a caucus!