Our local state rep in Texas had 5k to spend on his campaign and

[efhmc]

his repuke opponent had 200k. Can you guess who won? Any suggestions from other successful grass root folks on how to turn this around? We are determined to make changes and have already planned small fund raisers starting in Jan.

[Divine Discontent]

1. correct...

it's a LONG non-stop 2 year election cycle for state rep wannabes and congressional candidates who are trying to unseat incumbents. basically they have to invest the entire two years from the last election to the following to gain enough money and support... it really falls on the candidate and her or his core 5 helpers...

[efhmc]

2. This was an open seat. The repukes just have SOOOO much

money and we have none. I thought that someone might have some new and interesting ideas for fund raisers. We will work long and hard but we need some fresh ideas.

[lcordero2]

3. Carol Shea-Porter from New Hampshire

She was abandoned for dead by the DCCC. She engineered an upset against Jeb Bradley on a figure in between 50k and 200k.

[efhmc]

5. Now that is that kind of campaign we need to look in to for ideas.

[Boo Boo]

7. Porter was supported by Wes Clark (she's a Clarkie), and she was able to

tap into Netroots money. I don't know if she did any blogging at dKos, but that's also a way to raise money. Webb did, Eric Massa did, etc. But having Clark back her was a big deal. When somebody with his national cred comes to stump for you, it means coverage in local papers that you otherwise would not have got, and it confers a lot of credibility---something that is hard to come by when you are running for the first time. It's hard not to look small-time, because you are, so having somebody certifiably big-time do an event for you means a lot.

[pop goes the weasel]

4. did you see this?

Someone else has an idea for fundraising in Texas: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=180&topic_id=39774&mesg_id=39774

[efhmc]

6. Read it. Those are some great ideas. I usually go to the Texas

Forum to discuss thes types of things but decided to go to the GD area to try to pump all the great Dems from other areas. Thanks for the suggestion.