Candidates for State Representative
AT THE DOOR:
1 – KNOW THE NH CONSTITUTION – You will take an oath to uphold the Constitution (s) of the US and NH. This provides protection against carve outs, special interests, and cumbersome regulations. Don’t make promises that are Unconstitutional but pick 3 things that you know you will not waiver on.
2 – Ask families “how are things going in your family?” People love to talk about themselves and you may take the focus off of those controversial issues.
WORK WELL TOGETHER
3 – Contact any other candidates for your district including Senate Candidates. Familiarize yourself with their positions so that you can advocate for them when you’re at the door.
4 – Door knock most republican doors, but certainly “lit drop” to all other doors.- Independents and Democrats. The Democrats are hitting every door. Include all palm cards for those running in your district, up to the Governor.
5 – Keep your running mates informed if you learn information about what is going on in the town/district/school. This will help you all to be responsive and leverage your connections and relationships to provide service to your constituents. Remember— after the Primary, fellow republicans are our running mates, not our opponents. Our only opponents are the democrats.
6 — Letter’s to the Editor are a great way to promote yourself as a candidate, highlight your positions on key issues, and rebut opponents. Keep letters short, most newspapers will only accept LTE’s that are less than 300 words. If possible, recruit others to write letters to local papers on your behalf. Be sure to give them some talking points to help get them started.
7 — Facebook and Google advertising provides a cost effective way to get out your message. Be sure to utilize Facebook demographic tools and custom audiences so you are targeting the voters in your district. Voters are spending more and more time in front of a screen, and your message can get in front of their eyes for pennies.
PROVIDE VALUE TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS
8 – Visit businesses in your town (s) and learn what is important to them and how they are doing. Get their email addresses and pledge to check in with them on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be cumbersome, weekly or even monthly. It can be quarterly. Suggest they contact you to keep in touch – because remember, the state representative position was intended to be a part time position and not an office through which wealth can be derived. So – most others have jobs.
9 – Visit your first responders, fire, police, etc. This is a group that you SHOULD meet with regularly. Pledge to meet with them as often as they would like.
10 – By providing VALUE, YOU ARE BUILDING TRUST. TRUST IS WHAT BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS.