Arshad,

The "Anyone Can Run" training was great.  I very much appreciated the four elected officials' time, comments, suggestions, and insight with this. 

I heard one person join the call tonight from my area, and I've already contacted him to see if he's interested in networking together.  Additionally, I've already gone to the State of Wisconsin's website and printed out the requirements and forms to run for elected office in Wisconsin. 

My next step is to put together a campaign plan.  I think a big part of the plan will be meeting with as many people in this area to talk to them about the issues.  For some reason, the elected officials here are Republican, but when I talk to them about the voting records of the Republicans they've elected, they are shocked at their voting records.  Many of them hear the rhetoric and double talk and fall for it.  It's just a matter of simply discussing the issues with them and helping them cut through the rhetoric and double talk.  I believe that it's possible to elect  Democrats to our local and state office if only we have candidates to run for it.  Wisconsin now has a Democratic majority in the State Senate and our Democratic governor was re-elected.  I believe that we can win a majority in the State Assembly too. It's just a matter of getting out there, meeting with the people, discussing with them the issues, and having Democratic candidates to run against the Republicans.

 Thank you again for a great training.

Torrey Lauer

Question from last night:

I live in a small New England former mill town that is going through a metamorphasis. The elective offices are almost unanimously by an old guard local pols who were born and raised in this city. Most are old school Democrats who support the state and national party. But here in the city, things have become quite stagnant and culturally conservative.

There has been an influx of new residents who are changing things slowly, but the number is still short of the critical mass needed to support an effective campaign by an "outsider". I have lived in the city for four years and have become well known in the community by a semi regular guest column in the local paper and staying active in the community. But whenever I suggest things to the powers-that-be, either publicly or privately, I get called a carpet bagger, etc... For this reason, among others, I am strongly considering a run at the city council to help add a modern Democratic voice to those who set the civic agenda.

What suggestions does DFA have for someone like myself, who is active in local politics, but not part of the old-school, machine politics status quo in this demographically older and poorer city?

Thank you,
Greg in MA

 

Greg, your situation is like many people who live in old Democratic strongholds. Sometimes the problem politicians aren't always Republicans. Jim Dean, our chair, often talks about the "culture of incumbancy" being the opposition, not just the Republicans.

I think it's time to shake things up in your town. Your story sounds a lot like Irene Wrenner's from last night's call. She moved to Essex, VT a few years ago, but was afraid that's she'd be called a "flatlander" (Vermont's term for carpetbagger).

Here's what she found out: the voters hold the real power. Get to know them, get to talking to your neighbors. When you run for office, make sure you knock on every voter's door and listen to their concerns. In your town, I'm guessing, the city council candidates no longer go door-to-door. They've become complacent, thinking that they'll always get re-elected. So, register the new-comers to vote by researching new arrivals. Then, canvass the regular voters and allow them to get to know you. They'll vote for you because you're familiar to them and because you took the time to talk to them. In areas like yours, that kind of retail politics is on the decline. Take advantage of that.  

Question from last night:

when you go out to meet the people in your area do you fill out a form with their issues or let them fill it out?  John in   Pensacola There are few ways you can survey the important issues of the district. One is by going out an canvassing, door-to-door and asking people what local issues concern them the most. Generally, even if you leave the answer choices open-ended and informal, you'll still get many of the same issues. Sometimes you might present a few choices. But you definately don't have to make it a complicated survey. At the door, keep it casual. The key is get into conversations, not to fill out the right forms. My advice is to get a conversation going by asking open ended questions, and take some notes.  Another good way is to examine your local paper's editorial section. It's the paper's job to keep on top of the hot local issues. Whether you agree with the editorial page of your paper, or not, they'll have the issues people are talking or thinking about. Take a look at a couple week's worth of opinions and you'll get a good sense of issues in the community.  

 

Question from last night:  I'm considering challenging a long-time incumbent state rep in Massachusetts in Nov. 2008 - a fellow Democrat but a conservative one whereas I'm proudly liberal.  A knowledgable friend says that it would be better to target the 2010 election. This incumbent has had little competition and has neglected people in the district but he is an ally of the Mayor of Boston.    My friend thinks that if I lose in 2008, I would have no chance in 2010 because I would be labeled as "the guy he already beat in 2008."  What do you think?  Run now and take my chances, or build relationships and wait until 2010? -Considering in MA  This is a good question. "Run now and maybe lose, or run later and maybe win?" Seems like a lot of maybe's in either case. It's worth doing your homework on this one. What makes the 2010 election easier than the 2008 election? The 2010 election will have fewer voters, especially in the Dem Primary. Is there any reason that this might work in your favor? I would think it unlikely, actually.  Running once and losing is not a major impediment to running again. It's the people who run and lose cycle after cycle who are branded as losers. Running in 2008 has the advantage of building your name recognition. Even if you lose, you'll have an adavtage going into the next cycle - people may recognize your name. That's one of the toughest things to develop.   Run now and take yor chances. If you win, hooray! If you lose, continue to build relationships and learn from your mistakes. These are not mutually exclusive alternatives.  

Comment from last night:

Hello,

Just wanted to add on Ty's comments on networking.  One of the best
pieces of advice I've gotten on running for office is to have a box
that will hold all your business cards, campaign materials, etc.

It's a great way to save things for when I do eventually run for
office.  I don't need to file it, I just need a place to hold it.
When I'm ready to run I can go through it and take out what is
helpful.

Thanks,

Jeff Gale
DFA - Rhode Island 

 

I thought this was one of the better sessions... and I've followed all of them from the start!

I hope DFA gives more than just lip service to deserving 2008 candidates.  In 2006, checks were IMHO limited to too few that ran; even those like myself with deep DFA backgrounds were shut-out because the districts where we ran were "too Republican."  ;^(

Mike W

DFA Tulsa organizer, DFA Oklahoma organizer, 2006 Democratic nominee for Oklahoma House #70

Jeff,

Find a way to file them now.  I have run twice now in NW Georgia, and I have so much material that I was going to file "later"- At this point, I can't find anything when I need it!

One of my first tasks in considering another run in 2008 is to sort that stuff in a manner in which I can add new material quickly and access it immediately as well.

Sadie Morgan, previous candidate for State House District 2