How do you run for Congress? Part I

By Ralph Lopez

The first thing you do is see exactly what your district is, here (enter zip):
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd

Look at what towns are in your district. Then you start collecting a candidate's best friend, voter registration lists. That is the only way to mount a serious campaign. Every town or city hall has paper or a cd of voter lists, by ward and precinct, which it must give one copy free to anyone who says they are a candidate. Look them over for people you know. Ask them to host coffees for you.

Then you see who voted in the 2008 election (you can be registered but not vote) and these are your targets: active voters. Spread the word around that you are thinking of running for Congress and ask people to host coffees or invite you to their barbeques where there might be a lot of neighbors around so they can introduce you. When they have coffees have them pass a flyer around the block inviting all the neighbors.

Then everyone shows up and schmoozes and has a good time getting free cookies and coffee, then at some point you stand up and talk and say what's on your mind. Then the people who like what you said say, I want to help you, and you take their names and put them in charge of something down the road. ALWAYS ALWAYS pass around a pad of paper to get everyone's name and info. These are the core of your growing operation.

It's a long time before nomination papers are out, so don't worry about that yet.

MORE TO COME.