Camp Wellstone - Being a Candidate
June 2006 - Denver,
CO
Shortly after attending Camp Wellstone in 2006, Kathy Hartman decided to run for County Commissioner in Jefferson County, Colorado. Kathy learned about Camp Wellstone from Progressive Majority, and said she "needed to learn everything about managing a campaign" before she could run. It was at the camp that Kathy was able to get the skills she needed to become the first Democrat elected as Jefferson County Commissioner in 16 years!
Kathy learned an integral skill for any successful candidate is the ability to craft and deliver an effective message. Kathy said the strategy of a sound message, combined with tactics to get that message out to voters played an important role her 2006 victory. In particular two tactics learned from the camp were key to her victory. The first was the critical importance of door-to-door contact with voters, which allowed her to build relationships. Kathy reminisced about instructor Rudy Lopez and one particular piece of advice he gave her about door-to-door campaigning -- the effectiveness of campaigning on a rainy day. Rudy preached "love the bad weather." Kathy said it may be challenging to go out on rainy day but the voters have more sympathy and are willing to listen to a candidate's message. The second tactic that helped Mrs. Hartman build a strong campaign was the importance of developing a stump speech. Like other candidates who attended the camp, Kathy believed this lesson was important in conveying her stance on the issues.
Kathy said a third lesson important to any successful campaign is the intricacies of fundraising. The fundraising exercises helped the candidates carefully plan their finances and properly allocate the money. A strong financial plan typically leads to a more successful campaign.
In one sentence, Kathy said Camp Wellstone "took me from a neophyte who had no experience and gave me the tools to win 110,000 votes."