Thinking of running for Michigan State House - advice is welcomed

[jrd200x]

I'm thinking of running for the Michigan State House. It's something I've been considering for a couple of years. It's time for me to stop complaining to everyone and do something about it.

The current rep in my disctrict is a 72 year-old woman who is term limited. She is a Repub that has run un-opposed for two terms. Not a whacko really.

A lot of people in our district are sick to death of Bush and his policies. Corporations in MI are screwing workers and the Repubs have been running rampant like they have a mandate. People are tired of it.

I am listening to any and all advice and suggestions on how to position, issues that will resonate, and talking points that will help.

[e-mail]

[greenman3610]

1. what district?

I have heard the dems are optimistic for the
next election.

[jrd200x]

4. I'm in District 043 (state district)

District 43. State not Federal.

[newyawker99]

16. Hi jrd200x!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[liberalnurse]

2. I sent a PM

to a DU'er who could be of help to you.
She lives in your area and is very, very knowledgeable of your statehouse gang.

[jrd200x]

5. Awesome. Thanks.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[JNelson6563]

15. Here I am! Thanks Liberal Nurse!

Jrd200x, I happen to be good friends with the State House Dem caucus. Please PM me of your whereabouts. I'd be glad to hook you up with them. I'm waaaaaaaaaaaay up here in the 104th, a 2 county district. Please let me know some of the particulars of your district/location. I'll connect you with the caucus folks who are AWESOME!

Thanks for being willing to throw your hat in. Bravo! :applause:

Julie

[Pam-Moby]

3. What district are you in?

I am in the 8th district. :bounce:

[jrd200x]

6. MI 043.

43

[nickshepDEM]

7. How involved are you in local politics?

Ive noticed that local races in my area hinge on how involved you are in community activities, local groups, and political organizations.

How do you plan on raising money?

[jrd200x]

10. Good question.

I'm involved in some local business orgs. I run a firm here in MI. Thinking of starting with my neigbors ....

[Auntie Bush]

8. My advice is to read DU as often as you can

Go place to get the feel of what's going on in Democratic hearts and minds. Daily Kos, Smirking Chimp, BuzzFlash are good too. But DU is the best. Get reading!

[jrd200x]

9. I hear you

DOing all that for a couple of years now. DU, Kos, Buzzflash, Liberal Oasis, Atrios are all my faves.

I belong to the party in MI and attend meetings, helped out in 2004. Time to go to the next level.

[UrbScotty]

11. Welcome to DU, fellow Michiganian/der, and good luck!

Buy MoveOn's 50 Ways to Love Your Country. It is a handy resource.

And don't be intimidated! Even if you have a small amount of money compared to your opponent, you can still win. It would not be easy, but you can do it.

[ajacobson]

12. Spread the work

Build up a crew of key supporters and campaign coordinators. Your job as the candidate is to be the candidate. If you are also the scheduler and the treasurer and the volunteer coordinator and the literature designer, so on, you will want to die by the end of the campaign. Also, make sure one of your key advisors knows the campaign finance rules and filing requirements.

[SheilaT]

13. You need to connect

with the local branch of the Democratic Party. Find out who your precinct committee chairs are and make friends with all of them. Good precinct chairs can be of enormous help.

Start raising money NOW. Get yourself a treasurer, find out what Michigan's rules are about raising money, what kind of campaign donation limits there are, and so on.

You will need a campaign manager and a volunteer co-ordinator. Find out about every single possible event you can go to in or near your district (St. Patrick's Day parades, 4th of July parades, and so on) and plan to attend them.

When you formally announce your candidacy, send out a news release to local media. Follow up with news releases every time you do anything that you can conceivably do a news release on.

Plan fund-raising events. Try to get local Democratic leaders to attend.

Do local candidates participate in debates? Find out what you can about them, and watch old debates or read what the candidates said.

Continue raising money. Call everyone you know and ask them to contribute.

All this is just a start. Good luck!

[Lexingtonian]

14. go talk to

Democratic state reps in districts closest to yours. They probably know what kinds of problems and issues are the most important ones, how to look at the demographics of your district, what the local party apparatus is like, and who the major donors/players are or are likely to be.

[Norquist Nemesis]

18. Best advice on this thread!!!

Spend some time with those who have been through it and won. They recognize that you can be an ally for them and should be delighted to offer tips.

[question everything]

17. Michigan certainly has suffered from the economic policies

with thousands of jobs loss at GM alone recently. And Delphi also can play into the game.

Are there Wal-Mart in your district? You may want to find out how many of Wal-Mart employees, oops, associated, are dependent on Michigan tax payers for their health care, since Wal-Mart does not pay.

I posted yesterday a story from the WSJ http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5523494 about how Michigan will be the biggest losers if Congress will go ahead and cut food stamps programs.

I would think that the whole issue of energy would be big in Michigan, for both heating and the auto industry.

GM, again, not only jobs for current employees but pensions and health benefits for its retirees.

It has been said, and I think even documented someplace, that it will be industry, mainly the auto industry that will spearhead national health care since it is faced with the choice of either continue build cars in the U.S. and add the cost of benefits to each car - estimated $1,500 per car - or build them in Canada where health care costs are a lot cheaper.

How many national guards are in Iraq? Has their absence affected the ability of local law enforcement to do their job?

Good luck. Come back and float your ideas here, even if out of the blue. You will always get great advice and links.