(Radio Iowa) – The 49 Iowans who are delegates to the Democratic National Convention have voted electronically for Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential nominee. C-J Petersen is one of those delegates and the designated “whip” to round up votes in the group. “We were all elected as Biden delegates, but we knew that we had to make a decision and the moment we unanimously voted to unite behind Vice President Harris felt historic to me,” Petersen says. “because not only were we doing something we were not obligated to do — we could vote for anyone that we wanted to — but it was unprecedented in modern history.”

Petersen made his comments last (Monday) night during an online gathering of Iowa Democrats.  “Giving up power willingly after a lifetime of service is a stunning act of selflessness and patriotism and I want to say, ‘Thank you,’ one more time to Joe Biden for passing the torch.” Sue Dvorsky of Coralville – a former chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party — says Iowa Democrats still have muscle memory from when Iowa voted twice for the Obama-Biden ticket and can spur turn out for Harris and the person she picks as a running mate.

“We have a chance here to remember who it is that we are,” Dvorsky said. “…We don’t need permission to lead and we are behind her and whoever it is 100%.”

The online event lasted about 90 minutes and raised about 25-thounsand dollars for Iowa Democrats running in local races.