Posted on 11/04/2004 3:34:38 PM PST by MissouriConservative
While I was casting my vote here in Kansas City, I looked at my state representative race for the Missouri House...and noticed that only one person was on the ballot and it was a democrat to boot. No Republican was running....and I was ashamed.
After talking with my lovely Mrs. MissouriConservative, I have reached a decision....I am going to run for the 44th district here in Missouri in 2006.
I know there are a few Freepers here in KC and would love to have them help in way they can. I am going to join a lot of local Republican clubs and begin networking. I not only need the physical help, but a lot of prayers and spiritual guidance. We cannot let a democrat run unopposed, no matter how democratic the district may be.
I am currently studying my opponent to be, and she has a lot of weaknesses....voting for medical pot usage, still trying to get Missouri to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, etc.
This district is changing, albeit slowly, and more people are moving to the suburbs and voting is slowly trending towards conservatives.
Whatcha all think?
Thank you. I have two years to network, shake hands and study her short record (she won this seat for the first time in 2000). She already has a very liberal voting record, but this district is heavily democratic....but slowly moving to the right which might play in my favor.
Not true.
Oh man suffer the little children. That would be a hard one. Corruption is job one there and in all branches...even the pollution control department in corrupt.
Billybob did not run for congress. He didn't even run in a primary. He did collect money from FR.
I ran for congress. I won the primary. I had an amazing turnout in the general and got more votes than Bush in my district. I did not collect a dime from FR.
I have also posted on this board since 1998.
A few questions to consider for yourself, all of which can be used in framing your approach/style/message:
How long has your prospective opponent been in office?
How liberal or conservative is the district?
How much money does she have in her campaign war chest?
How long has it been since she had any opposition?
Is she generally likable (personality-wise) to the point it may mitigate any concerns voters may have with some of her stands on the issues?
What are her skeletons?
What are your skeletons?
How old are you?
How old is your opponent?
Is your opponent married? Have children?
What do you do for a living? Is there any chance of garnering support/funding from co-workers/colleagues?
Is there any chance of garnering support/funding from your fellow church/congregation members?
Have you been active in GOP politics in MO and/or in your district?
What is the breakdown in voter registration in your district? Can a Republican win over an entrenched Democrat? Can a conservative win over a liberal or moderate?
A few suggestions:
Join any GOP clubs in/affecting your district.
Go to the State GOP Convention (if your State has one).
If your State GOP has Central Committees, get involved - or run for a Seat on the Central Committee. A lot of GOP State parties consider the Central Committee to be something of a "farm team" for future candidates.
Attend the fundraisers of other GOP candidates in/near/affecting your district in order to "get known."
If MO has "off year" elections for any level of office, get involved in a few campaigns. Once you put your name out there, help when asked.
If you are serious about running, begin going door to door -talking with people, dropping off campaign materials, explain why you are running and why a change is needed.
Some States (don't know about MO) allow prospective candidates to form "Exploratory Committees." This, you can use to raise money to see if your candidacy would be viable without having to actually declare for office. Check with your State Board of Elections to learn MO's regs and statutes.
Obtain (if affordable) GOP lists in your State - do a mailer expressing interest/asking for funds. Considering your issues stands, go for the more Christian conservative lists or issues lists. How are you on the issue of gun ownership? Compare this with your opponents stands. Occasionally the NRA will contribute to State/Local races if the divide between the two candidates is stark enough.
Spearhead a local issue - garner media attention. Become a spokesman for a cause. Have friends (not family) write letters to the editor to local papers praising your perspective. If your area has local talk radio, have these people also call in to the radio shows. (You should have them do this in support of your candidacty, once you are running.)
Once running, target your literature - have more than one palm card or brochure printed up - each for use in different areas of your district if the district is politically diverse. I am not saying you should be less than truthful on any campaign piece, but I am saying you should do your best to tailor your message to your audience.
One candidate, now a Member of his State's House of Delegates, had a number of buttons printed up that read"
"Who is Steve Smith?" (Not his real name.) He'd wear the buttons to various political events (bullroasts, cookouts, Lincoln Day Dinners, etc.), and when folks would ask him on occasion just who IS Steve Smith, he would answer that he was - and begin talking about why he was running for office.
There is a lot you can do, but you need to have a game plan. You need to raise money and shake hands early. Get involved as soon as possible. I'm sure I've missed a ton of things here, but good luck!
Really? What district?
Did you tell anyone on these boards or publicize it here? (Please don't get annoyed - just asking).
I'm in Florida, but grew up in Missouri. Good luck to you and be steadfast.
Get a website she doesn't have one. Put her name in the heading so when someone googles her name google, your site comes up.
We submitted several articles about my run but they were deleted.
We were able to discuss it freely on the Michigan board but any time something was posted to News/Activism it was either deleted or put into a bizarre chat session.
On Tuesday when the totals started coming in there was a thread that my totals were 47% top 49%. That was taken out of News and put into Vetscore.
I ran in the 13th district of Michigan and kicked butt. It was a heavily dem district and I was credited with bringing in the Bush vote in several communities. I know all about campaigning and was going to post an article about my campaign, but I don't want to get banned.
I was banned the day before Laura Bush came to Michigan to campaign and endorse me.
http://www.ezcampaigns.com/cassell
It's an interesting site. You can see all my endorsements and photos. Ted Nugent endorsed me a couple of weeks ago.
Well first off, if you really want to impress the southern Missourians, you gotta learn that whatchallthink, is one word. Second off, being from the "show me" state, you don't just start talking about the lovely, Mrs. MissouriConservative, without pictures to back up the claim. Just joshing of course. All Conservative ladies are every bit as lovely as liberal women are homely.
You have made a decision that is good for Missouri, Good for America, Good for the Republican party and good for true American values.
The saddest thing that happens on election day, is that too many political races have no Republican candidate.
How is the new tagline?....Any better?
Well of course-why the heck do you suppose Aussie Dasher is so anxious to get over to Mo and help out in your campaign?
That's really odd. Did you talk to Jim about that?
"Well of course-why the heck do you suppose Aussie Dasher is so anxious to get over to Mo and help out in your campaign?"
He'd better wait a tad bit more than 4 years....my daughter that took the trip is only 12 years old.....lol
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