Emma Lange '16 recognized for her work with state Rep. Tyler Olson's campaign

About 50 young volunteers with state Rep. Tyler Olson's campaign for the Iowa Democratic Party's nomination for governor in 2014 used the Harkin Steak Fry on Sunday as an opportunity to do some grass-roots organizing for their candidate.

The young people included students from all three of Iowa's state universities, plus students from Drake University, Grinnell College and Simpson College, said Stacey Walker of Cedar Rapids, field director and political director for Olson's campaign. The students were approaching people attending the event to secure contact information and build email lists, and to have people sign Olson's nominating petition.

Emma Lange, 19, of Carroll, a sophomore at Grinnell College who interned with U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin last summer in Washington, D.C., was among Olson's volunteers at Harkin's event. She said she thinks Olson particularly appeals to students. "He is aware that students need college to remain affordable," she added.

MacKenzie Bills, 19, a Simpson sophomore, said of Olson: "He has a lot of energy. He's young, and he has new ideas. I can see him being a leader for our state for a long time."

• Des Moines Register, "Castro: Party seeks to protect American Dream." Sept. 16, 2013.