Just out of curiosity, how many of you are actively working on down ticket legislative races?

[saracat]

All the excitement of a presidential races causes volunteers to be siphoned away from those folks who really do the work of our day to day living. I am just curious how many DUers are participating in their local races where the candidates have little money and no help. The Federal races have money and staff(For the most part) . Me first. I am a campaign manager for a State Senate race and actively support a county Attorney race . Any others?

[rosesaylavee]

1. Volunteer when ready for the Foster campaign

Canvassed for him for the special election in March. Waiting to hear when he wants to start the local campaign again for the fall election. Just a set of boots on the ground. Not in charge of anything.

Foster won the special election in March for the IL District 14 - Hastert's old stomping grounds.

[asdjrocky]

2. You know me, I preach it all the time.

Charlie Brown Ca04, Bill Durston Ca03, an assembly race Ca Assm. 09 and a few more. That, for me, is where the action is. Go back and take a look at my journal and you'll see a lot of stuff about down ticket races.

By the way, any down ticket race out there that may need staff, I'm willing to go anywhere for the right candidate. Just PM me.

[asdjrocky]

3. Oh yeah,

also did some work on a local judge race here in my home town. We lost on June 3.

[LWolf]

4. That's where any

energy or support I have to give will go this year; at the state level.

[bobbolink]

6. PLEEEEEEEEEEZ K&R!!

This is a very important piece of legislation, so I'm asking you to please help bring this to attention at DU and among the groups you're working with. Since you're working on a campaign, that would be a big help if you could generate some support among them.

Thanks for your help... much appreciated!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3497906&mesg_id=3497906

Bobbie

[fight4my3sons]

5. I do as much as I can with three little boys at home.

I helped with our 'raise the roof' house party and the spring fling fundraiser. Our local office is opening this Tuesday. :woohoo:

I went to the VAN training for the data entry (now if I can just find the time to get to the office to do the entry!). I would love to go out and canvass or do phone banking, but my husband works a ton of overtime. So far it has conflicted with the times that have been set up. I do go to all the local meetings. We have some wonderful people running for office.

[asdjrocky]

11. How old are your boys?

Never too early to train them right. When I was 8 years old I got to see RFK briefly when he touched down in my home town just before heading to LA (yes, it was that day) and I'll remember that day forever.

[fight4my3sons]

12. the twins are 4 and older son is 5

my older son just got a letter from Obama (I posted about it the other day, but I am using a crappy laptop right now instead of my usual computer and don't know how to post the link to the thread) and he just sent his second letter and picture (the picture in my avatar is drawn by him). He definitely knows more about what is going on both in the national and local elections than your typical five year old kid. I agree that it is never to early ...

[asdjrocky]

14. That's right, I saw that letter.

You're doing a wonderful thing for your boys. And make sure you tell him his picture rocks for me!

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. Those are the races I only care about. So yes here!

[saracat]

15. Thank you. This is the absolutely most important part of the election.

These folks effect our everyday lives!

[Raven]

8. Working against Sununu in NH. My main goal this year! n/t

[bread_and_roses]

9. Yes, have for years as a volunteer, however, not with the Dems -

here in NY we have WFP - fusion - I can work for candidates who run both as Dem/WFP and try to promote an issue agenda, not a Party.

[MuseRider]

10. I am,

Trying to defeat a friend of mine actually. This is not going to be fun but she screwed us over so this is what happens.

[Blue_In_AK]

13. Diane Benson for Congress! n/t

[XemaSab]

16. Jeff Morris for congress!

(Trust me, in this part of the state, it's an uphill battle. :P )

[stevedeshazer]

17. Jeff Merkley for US Senate

I plan on working the phones for Jeff to oust Gordon Smith.

[Blue Belle]

21. Me Too!

I really want to see Jeff get in there. Gordon has to go! (Plus, he stole Pete Sorenson's logo)

[stevedeshazer]

24. He ripped off the Oregon Ducks, too

[Radio_Lady]

22. Hi Steve... hi Blue Bell...

We'll be around most of the summer and fall -- working with Washington County Dems -- my hubby is an elected committeeperson.

Cordially,

Radio Lady Ellen Kimball in OR

[stevedeshazer]

26. Hi Ellen,

We're gonna have fun sending Gordo back to his Pendleton Pea Packing Palace!

:hi:

[Blue Belle]

27. I'm also going to be working hard for Kurt Schrader too.

We have to keep to keep that seat in Congress DEM!

[Radio_Lady]

28. Oh, my dear -- it's Blue BELLE -- not as typed above.

My apologies.

Cordially,

Radio Lady Ellen Kimball in Oregon

[Blue Belle]

29. No worries...

I'm not a grammar/spelling Nazi (unlike some people here). :P

[Radio_Lady]

31. My copywriter background comes out -- I get mad if I run out of editing time...

Thanks for the smiley!

:hi:

[davsand]

18. Truth be told, most of my activity is local and it always has been.

I have a local State's Attorney race that hubby and I are actively working, a State Rep race we are supporting and doing some minor stuff on, and a couple County Board races I'll probably do some minimal work for. Local Dems have always had a higher need of what we do because, as you say, the national folks have paid staffers who are pros at this stuff. Hubby is the local database guy and together we have done a fair amount of graphic design, layout, and media work for candidates in need.

Durbin is back up for re-election and he's running against some doctor that isn't really on any body's radar. You can't take it for granted, but barring something unforeseen I doubt that race will be too intense. Our Congressional candidate is a nice guy but probably a non-contender. Our State Senator is not up again for two years so we can rest on that one.

I will say that my attitude about some of the local folks has undergone a big change in the last few years and there ARE actually people now that I refuse to do ANYTHING for. Literally, I would not piss on some of them if they were in flames under the outhouse.

I will carry lit for the full ticket when I go door to door.



Laura

[saracat]

19. Thank you Laura! You and hubby represent the "real grassroots " of this party. It seems too many get

caught up in the "glamor" of the presidential races every four years and can't be bothered to lift a finger for their local politicians. And it is a crying shame because those folks need us and I am not talking about the congressional races, though I have worked on those too. I am talking about the State legislative races and everything from JP to dogcatcher. Many of our so called active dems just can't be bothered and don't stop to consider that is how we build our "real base". that is one thing the GOP is definitely better at.

In the State Senate race I am working on the candidate is running "clean" We have a "clean elections law in my state and a candidate can opt to take state funding if he comes up with a certain number of $5 contributions from registered voters of any recognized party in his district. Some of the most "active" Dem Presidential candidate supporters often say they have to "think " about the $5 dollar contribution or make us drive out to their houses as many as 3 times to get the contributions they have "forgotten", And this is support for a candidate who almost won last cycle and it unopposed in the primary! What is to think about? But the same folks will burn up their computers and write checks to the "sexy" presidential campaign.

Real change takes place locally and I just want to remind folks of that fact and hope they are supporting their local guys.

[davsand]

20. Is that $5 a matter of record?

Is that what freaks these people out?

I'm dead serious when I say that locally I can get into their checkbooks but finding phone bankers is like mining for diamonds. NOBODY wants to do the grunt work and I have tried every gimmick I can think of. The best turn out yet was a free dinner I got donated from a local Dem friendly restaurant. Once you made 25 calls you got your plate and silverware. It is amazing how much the smell of a nice Italian dinner will motivate phone bankers...

:evilgrin:

I am fascinated by Clean Election states. I really think that is how we need to go if we really want to encourage more diversity in candidates and ultimately office holders. No longer is fund raising the major focus of a candidate--they can actually TALK about what their vision is and what they are hoping to do rather than stroking the money guys. I honestly can't imagine a place where you can run for office and not fundraise 24/7.

While I get frustrated by the folks who only turn out to help the "sexy" candidates (Usually every four years, I've noticed...) I do celebrate ANY involvement in politics. Sometimes these people DO stick around to become active members of the local party and part of that is determined by how much we party regulars work to involve these folks.

It isn't easy some days to get motivated but it has to be done if we want a viable party and new candidates down the road. I make it a point in EVERY election to try and offer help to one new candidate. Sometimes they take it--other times they don't--but mentoring is a part of the whole process. Sometimes I wonder about using DU as a place to create and drive a movement to mentor new candidates and share campaign ideas and techniques. I dunno if the internet really lends itself to that but maye we should consider it...

Hang in there, saracat. What you are doing is not easy but it is SO very worth it!


Laura

[saracat]

23. Yeah the Fives are a matter of record but they aren't "published" like larger donations must be.

They are however "certified" by the SOS. The most disheartening thing is that some of the Dems who are the most difficult to track down are Party officers! I have to say that the GOP folks who support us are much more reliable and easier to deal with. I think the GOP "trains" its folks better so when they decide to support a Dem, they are more used to donating! Seriously. And somehow, even though some GOPers hate clean elections, there are many that do support it and those that do recognize the importance of the $5 contributions more than the Dems do!

[Truth2Tell]

25. Darcy Burner. WoOt wOOt!!. nt

[crispini]

30. Me. I'm a campaign manager.

And we're going to win, too. :D