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Campaigning is a whole new experience [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2024-06-01  

Like most of you, I’ve never been inside a campaign. I am intensely interested in politics and following as our legislators debate proposed laws. I remember when discourse was civil and it appeared that the elected officials had their district’s best interests at heart.

However, I don’t see a lot of that emotion any longer. Our legislators are now more interested in time at the microphone, demonizing their fellow lawmakers, than in enacting meaningful laws to improve lives of the residents.

But I recently announced my intention to run for Florida Senate, propelling me from an interested bystander into the realm of candidate. I thought it would be interesting to journal my experiences so that others could see what it takes to run for office.

The biggest obstacle I faced was thinking of myself as a politician. The very idea of becoming one of “those” people was very foreign.

The second step was filing the paperwork to put my name on the ballot. When I actually saw my name listed on the Florida Division of Elections website, it was surreal. Then, the media attention started and I had to get an email address, website and a donation account set up. Suddenly, it felt as if the train was pulling out of the station.

I had calls from supporters. I am learning now to accept help and to create a spreadsheet of names and contact information. I am fielding offers from those who will donate in-kind services. I am grateful. I am getting invited to attend banquets, meetings and to appear on TV shows. I am on daily zoom calls from the state party leaders.

I am learning that this candidacy is too big to handle alone and I will need help reaching out to voters, asking for donations and managing the entire operation.

Next, I will be hiring a campaign manager. I am aware that this is more than a personal project. It is a movement to affect real change in our legislature and it takes a lot of volunteers.

Next week: Raising money

www.Newell4Florida.com/

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/1/2244165/-Campaigning-is-a-whole-new-experience?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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