By Jeff Abell
The school cafeteria at Grimes Elementary School was filled with hopeful smiles Monday evening as Burlington Precinct 6 voters sought to have their voices heard on who the next Democratic presidential nominee should be.
In the center table, supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders mingled across the aisle with backers of businessman Andrew Yang. Farther away, representatives for former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg saw their numbers increase as it grew closer to the 7 p.m. cut-off time.
Democrats were hopeful but cautious as they eye a November win against incumbent Republican Donald Trump, with many saying they will back the eventual nominee no matter who it is.
Jerica Vahle of Burlington felt it was important to bring her children, Lilith and Liam, both 8, to the caucus to experience democracy first hand, adding her children attended a mock caucus at their school but it's not the same.
Jerica, who supports Yang, said she likes the candidate's stance on the economy, women's rights, and military veteran's rights.
"Under Trump, we have taken 10 steps back," she said.
Her son added: "I think people should vote for Yang."
At the Buttigieg table, Ike Blythe said he supports his candidate for a variety of reasons but one stands out above the rest — the ex-mayor is a veteran. Buttigieg served a seven-month deployment as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan.
Blythe's wife, Lois, said she is looking for a candidate who can bring people together. She said Buttigieg was that candidate, noting his status as a Washinton outsider.
"Maybe his inexperience in Washington is a good thing," she said.
Gary Wagler, a Sanders supporter, said he believed the self-described socialist democrat is the best person to prevent cuts to Medicare and Social Security.
"The Republicans are trying to cut those programs," he said. "Bernie can stop it from happening."
After all the heads were counted, there were 66 caucus-goers in Burlington Precinct 6 with Sanders (22), Buttigieg (20) and Yang (14) getting one delegate each.
Photos by Anthony Dewitt
First-time caucus-goer Jerica Vahle of Burlington brought her children, Lilith and Liam, both 8, to Grimes Elementary School in Burlington to show her support for Democratic presidential candidate and business Andrew Yang in Monday's Iowa caucuses.