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Iowa Democratic leaders say they are troubled by the prospect that Hillary Clinton could win the states 2016 presidential caucuses without a serious challenge, a view primarily rooted in a desire for a more liberal candidate or at least a robust debate about the partys policies and direction.

Interviews with more than half of Democratic chiefs in Iowas 99 counties show a state party leadership so far reluctant to coalesce behind Clinton. County Democratic officials also voiced qualms about Clintons ability to win a general election and her fundraising ties to Wall Street firms and corporations, which remain a target of liberal ire.

Many county officials said they would like to see senators including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont enter the race, though they were split over whether any could gain traction and overtake Clinton.

My heart wouldnt be in it for Hillary to the extent that it might be if it was a different candidate, said Jennifer Herrington, chair of the Page County Democrats in southwest Iowa. I admire Hillary, shed be a great president, but you know, she isnt my first choice I guess.

Of course, candidates can secure a party nomination without winning Iowa, an idiosyncratic contest that tends to reward candidates with strong local organization and passionate supporters. But as the first-in-the-nation contest, set to take place about a year from now, Iowa draws outsize attention from candidates and the media, and it can set a narrative for a partys entire primary season.

Clinton was also the front-runner at the start of the 2008 presidential campaign, but her big polling lead eroded as the Iowa campaign wore on and caucus participants migrated to the insurgent campaign of then-Sen. Barack Obama, who won in Iowa, and former Sen. John Edwards, who finished in second place. Clinton bounced back with a win in New Hampshire and won several other states before bowing out of the race in early June after Obama built an insurmountable delegate lead.

An expanded version of this story is available at WSJ.com.

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The Wall Street Journal: Top Iowa Democrats slow to rally around Hillary Clinton