Cat F

Here’s how I know. Last year, I became a PC (Precinct Committeeperson). I represent the other Dems in my precinct-neighborhood. I expected there weren’t very many fellow Dems. But then I got my first walking list. 256 Democrats in my precinct! Including my next door neighbors.

I had no clue there were so many! And as I knocked on doors to talk to them, I found out many of them had also thought they were alone. They were thrilled just to see ME as a Dem representing them. In fact, I am the only PC of any party in my precinct, despite many open slots.

I also collected signatures for various candidates & Save Our Schools referendum at various nearby locations. Once again, I met Dems who thought they were basically alone. A lot of them lived in my legislative district & we shared complaints about our State Senator, Debbie Lesko.

When Trent Franks resigned from Congress, Lesko quit as State Senator to run for his seat. She won her primary & Hiral Tipirneni won the Dem Primary. Once again, I knocked on doors. I was asked if Hiral had any chance. I understood- it had been a long time since we’d had a win.

I was also seeing more hope. We even got a temporary Dem regional office. I met other volunteers there, as we made calls for @hiral4congress. The database was outdated. There were a lot of wrong numbers. We also talked to Dems who didn’t even know there was a special election.

It was always a good feeling when someone said they would vote for Hiral! We knew it was an uphill battle. This district has large retirement communities & many conservative families. I talked to a Dem while knocking on doors who had voted for Trump, because she wanted the Wall.

People weren’t always nice when you knocked on their door. I was told more than once to go away. But there was also a feeling of building excitement. There was only 1 month from the primary election night to when mail-in ballots were sent out. @hiral4congress worked tirelessly.

She held Town Halls & other events & invited people of all parties. We knew she needed crossover votes to win. My own sister & her husband, Republicans, asked me about Hiral (they can’t stand Lesko & her anti-public education actions). I knew it would be close, but had hope.

Most people mailed back their ballots as soon as they got them. One month wasn’t enough time. Though Hiral won the Election Day votes, she lost by 4.8 points. Trump had won by 21 pts in 2016. He won my precinct by 15.9. But in April, Hiral WON it by 5.1 pts! This is HUGE.

Hiral flipped many precincts blue in #AZ08, including my sister’s. She won in at least 3 precincts where I had canvassed. She won in the precinct where I had been a poll watcher on Election Day. But too many Dems & Independents stayed home, or didn’t mail back their ballots.

Perhaps they thought their votes wouldn’t matter, but they could have made all the difference in the world. The good news is @hiral4congress is running again & can WIN in November, but we will have to work hard again. This time, we know where to better concentrate our efforts.

So, please know that even in the reddest district of a red state, YOU can make a difference! Pick a Dem candidate & volunteer for them (especially after a primary). Go to Legislative District meetings. Tell the party YOU want to be a PC & represent your neighborhood. Talk to ppl.

Get good shoes, a clipboard, & a bag to carry flyers & water. In AZ, I need sunscreen & a hat. Make a friend who can canvass with you. Download miniVAN on your smartphone. Go to candidate canvasses & knock on doors. Volunteer for phone banks. Offer your baking or painting skills.

There’s so many ways you can help! This is a battle & it will take hard work, but it can be fun & rewarding. This is a CALL TO ACTION! Let your Dem friends & neighbors know they are NOT alone, and do all you can to get out the vote! Offer rides to polls. It will take ALL of us!