Iowa treasurer: Disorganization sunk Democrats

• The election outcome was not favorable to Iowa's pitch to retain the nation's first-in-the-nation caucuses, former Iowa Democratic Party chairman Scott Brennan told Axios last week.

State of play: Fitzgerald took office in 1983 and is the longest-serving state treasurer in the nation.

• He was defeated last month by Republican state Sen. Roby Smith in a 51% to 49% vote.

Zoom in: The losses can be credited to a combination of factors that include a well-organized GOP and Gov. Kim Reynolds' campaign that got Iowa Republicans fired up, Fitzgerald said.

• The GOP's statewide candidates campaigned often together, gaining support through events and local publicity.

Meanwhile: Iowa Democrats didn’t have a strong get-out-the-vote campaign during the final weeks before the election.

• And they missed valuable opportunities like not allowing statewide candidates to give in-person speeches at this year's Liberty and Justice Celebration, Fitzgerald said.

Of note: The gaffs weren't intentional but illustrate disorganization, Fitzgerald said.

• State party officials did not return Axios' request for response Monday.

The big picture: Nationally, Democrats prevented a "red wave" that was projected prior to the November elections.

• They maintained majority control of the U.S. Senate but lost the House.

What’s next: Fitzgerald, 71, said he's not ready to retire but won’t likely run again for treasurer.

• He plans to "give back in some meaningful way" but said his next steps will be decided after he leaves office at the end of this month.