Looking for info on campaigning in rural areas

[ldfdem]

I am a new chair of a local county party with a large rural/farm population. I was wondering if anybody could recommend resources, ideas, etc. for running a campaign in rural areas.

[glowing]

1. A supper or a town meeting and then door to door.

You need to hear what people say. I grew up in rural area. The politicians actually came to our door. I think Bernie Sanders even showed up once. And the state reps came to all the town meetings and came by in person... of course my mom was on the school board and they always thought that if they could get to her, they would get more people to vote for them because she was held in high regards and still is. As much as she let anyone know what she thought, she never said how she would vote. I still don't know to this day who she votes for. Its her right to know and nobody else's business... that's why its hard in rural places. People still keep some of their rights private.

If poler's ever called my house, she'd say "its none of your G.D. business who I'm voting for".

[murielm99]

2. What state are you in?

Why don't you have a profile?

[MGKrebs]

7. A search indicates that this person is from Wisconsin,

and appears to be a labor activist.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. A lot depends upon the rural area

In Newton County Arkansas, you have a mix of old settlers, newcomers, and the descendants of old settlers who have come back home. Newcomers aren't trusted by the descendants, though the old settlers seem to be ok with them. It is very important if you are a newcomer that you treat the old settlers and descendants with respect-but don't expect it back. Make sure you have all your facts in order, and don't be surprised if some folks come up and ask how much you will pay for their vote. It's also important to field candidates that are known to the area, and have done good things for the county in general, like setting up a recycling program that takes care of a litter problem, for example.

If you are the new chair, please reach out to all facets of your community. Make sure to make yourself known at the local senior center (seniors are more likely to vote than any other age group), and check out the volunteer fire companies and what they are doing. Volunteer fire companies are the heart and soul of a community, and usually provide a cross section of voters from a given region (by that I mean people who attend church, don't attend church, etc). When they have a fundraiser, make sure you provide something to help--one local politician, a Dem, was voted in again and again because he had a "cooker"--one of those cast iron monstrocities that barbeques large quantities of meat and has a heater where a pot of beans can be kept warm. He always loaned it out to any and all charitable events, and was always re-elected in part because of it. (This is a repuke county by and large-since the Dem's retirement, and the retirement of his 'cooker' no Dem here has been elected to a county office).

[NMDemDist2]

4. I'm gonna watch this thread closely as I live in a large rural precinct

and would love some ideas on canvassing it.

I'm thinking I'll do it on horseback (if someone will loan me a horse :rofl: )

[Nikia]

5. Go to the county fair

Participate in autumn parades near election time.
One of the things that disappointed me about my county party was that while the Republicans were at the county fair, there were no signs of the Democrats.

[RiDuvessa]

6. Get in with the schools.

High schools are often the centerpiece of small farm communities. Attend games and get to know people. Support high school fundraising events.