The Democratic State Committee race is over.
First, I want to extend a big thank you to the voters of the MW District and all my friends and supporters who helped with the race. It was truly humbling to have so many volunteers come out to support me.
I’ve been reflecting on the race over the past few days. There are few races as “down ballot” as State Committee. How do you mount a campaign in fourteen communities for an office that probably less than half a percent of the population has heard of?
Well, I started by calling those who were running for Town or Ward Committee; local committee membership is just about as down ballot as State Committee. I also began to get endorsements from areaTown and Ward Committees.
I called relatives who could vote for me. My mom asked her god-daughter to vote for me. I contacted a former colleague who would normally be inclined to vote in the Republican primary; he told me that if I had an opponent that was reason enough to take a Democratic ballot.
I expected that the people who were going to show up to vote on March 6 were people who liked President Barack Obama. I was able to utilize facebook advertising and reach people who line in those fourteen communities who had said that they liked Barack Obama. It’s hard to gauge the impact of this effort, but it was very targeted.
Over the course of the campaign I developed a new respect for “earned media.” I also saw the influence of letters to the editor.
In conjunction with my volunteer work for other candidates, I did a lot of door knocking. I talked to people both about my own race and about other Democratic candidates.
After getting advice from a number of people, I decided to invest in signs. In addition to trying to get people to vote, I wanted to be sure that people who did go to the polls saw my name. I also felt that signs involve people. I had a number of people who were holding signs for me on Election Day. I expect that each volunteer mentioned this to at least a few people. And I think that those people likely voted for me.
Would you believe that on my election day I did door to door GOTV and rides to the polls. Well, as I was driving by my former colleague’s home on the route between two polling places, I stopped and knocked on his door. And my son had also asked a colleague to vote for me. She had agreed. When election day rolled around she said she needed a ride to the polls so he drove her to vote.
I am deeply grateful to all who supported me in any way. I look forward to continuing to represent the Democrats in the fourteen communities of the MW District. I have worked hard at this position for the past 16 years and I appreciate the confidence that the district has shown in me by re-electing me with such a strong margin.
Since she didn’t do it (at least in this diary) I’ll take the liberty of mentioning that Kate is seeking one of two slots open for Democratic National Committeewoman for Massachusetts. Any member of the newly constituted Democratic State Committee should cast one of their votes for her at the meeting on May 5th. (You’re Welcome!)