Should I run for Congress against J.D. Hayworth?

[dorktv]

I was thinking of running against the guy that represents my Congressional district and I wondered what you all would think.
My pros:
1. I know a lot of younger generation people who would vote if someone their age (like me) ran.
2. I have a good platform and a good way of expressing it. (Jobs, Immigration, and Health Care are the three main themes.)
3. I am young enough that a loss would not kill me.
4. I have repuke friends who would work on my campaign for me.
There is more but I am still working on them.
Cons:
1. I am young (24, 25 by election time).
2. Relatively unknown.
3. I am really poor.

[slor]

1. Yes...

Is he that heavy set lizard looking chap?

[Poseidon]

3. That would be J.D.

J.D. has an affinity for jelly donuts.

[leyton]

2. What is your district like?

What is the job sector like? What kind of people live there?

EDIT: If you decide that a Congressional run is not for you, you might try local government. That gives you exposure, experience, and a support base.

Either way, good luck!

[dorktv]

4. Thanks.

According to the system I have, my district has more repukes then dems (actually the entire county is like that) however, in the Legislative district we have had a similar sit. and we won.

[goobergunch]

5. I'd say go for it

Hayworth is repugnant.

[parkening]

6. Unknown, poor dem guy runs against...

well-known Rep sportscaster and incumbent in heavily Rep district. I see it as a non-starter without some serious free airtime.

I agree with Leyton: start local, work your way up. Typically you need serious name recognition (Hayworth, Schwazzenegger) to hit the big-time the first time out.

[dorktv]

9. Actually, there is another Republican LIBERAL running against him.

He might be wounded enough for me to squeak by. He only got 103,000 or so votes. Chris Columbus (his Dem opponant) got about 60,000.

And I am a woman so I know I will get a lot of the Democratic Women's clubs help.

[AP]

17. You'd get Emily's List money too if you could show them you have

promise.

Get your name out there. Do a few events. Try to see who can get you publicity. Work on a stump speech.

DO IT!

[LiberalFighter]

19. In order to be noticed by the movers in Washington

ie Emily's List and others

A level has to be reached in raising money for the campaign before they will consider supporting a campaign with contributions.

[WI_DEM]

7. why not?

he needs an opponent and I say go for it.

[JohnKleeb]

8. of course you should

Run against that twin of Limbaugh. I say give it a chance, you'll learn shit, meet people, etc. Maybe send JD the sportscaster home which wuold be neat.

[TopesJunkie]

10. Yes, run --

Hayworth is an idiot.

[OhioStateProgressive]

11. yes, unless....

there is a better chance of you winning a State Assembly spot...a State assembly spot would be alot easier, and would give you necessary support downt he road for the National Seat

just my opinion

[TheDonkey]

12. I'd just consider the amount of

time, orginization, and money it''ll require for national office. This project will be a BIG step but if you look at the facts and see it as doable I say go for it!

Good Luck either way. It's great to see people involved in democratic politics.

[mastein]

13. Look at Paul Simon

No, not the singer, he was a high school history teacher. If you have the knowledge and think you can add to the debate in a thoughtful way, then yes, by all means. We need more citizen legislators.

[UrbScotty]

14. RUN!

J.D. Hayworth is one of the most irritating members of Congress I know!

[SCliberal73]

15. If your county/state Dem Party will support you with some funding...

go for it! If some of the Repub votes are split b/c of a liberal Repub challenger?

Always better to have someone run than no one. Newcomers have won before.

Are the good people of Hayworth's district tiring of him?

:kick:

[GOPBasher]

16. You should!

Good luck. What is your district like? Is it Repub or Dem?

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. You may want to start out at the state or local level

Running for Congress is a full time job and then some. If you expect to take out an incumbent member of Congress it will take an extrodinary amount of time and energy, especially for an unknown.

Considering that Hayworth has won his last two elections by wide margins, you will likely have a lot of difficulty raising enough money to get your message out.

Running for a state or local office may be your best bet. Hayworth will probably run for the Senate or Governor some day, and being an elected official would give you a leg up on other Democrats running.

[LiberalFighter]

20. I agree

Get elected to a local position whether city/county or state house or senate.

Name recognition and money are the two keys to winning elections!

Name recognition can be obtained two ways... Well known in the community because of business or family. Running for election again after being defeated lays the groundwork for name recognition.

[dorktv]

24. Well I know a lot of people who are ready to start writing checks

just because they hate him and I found a campaign manager who is willing to work with me on the way I should run the campaign.
I actually was surprised at the amount of venom this guy generates.

[cosmicdot]

21. Please!

I used to be (un)represented by him, as well as, his colleague in obstruction: Shadegg

Scottsdale can do better!

his personal finance disclosures at opensecrets.org
seem rather 'bare'

so, he only draws salary from his House position?

[salin]

22. Only if you are really serious about it.

That means - you are willing to go door to door for months. You are willing to find every event (fair, artshow, etc.) anywhere in the district and to attend it - with materials and lots of hand shaking. If you are willing to go to grocery stores in rural areas and spend hours talking with people in a one on one manner.

If you can get a group of folks to work with you - I would suggest doing all of the above - and then get a weekly open planning session going. Meet at some local restaurant (like a diner) - talk about the campaign, the next weeks events, let folks brainstorm ideas about the campaign etc. Then as you do the day to day campaigning (above) - invite people who express an interest to attend the weekly sessions.

Let me advise you on a book to read. Very inspirational. Pat Schroeder's book (came out in 1999 or 2000). She talks about her first campaign - very very small scale - but quite effective. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0836287347/102-7592089-4...

[dorktv]

23. I am actually going to do it. I started the paperwork this afternoon.

I have until June 9th to file for the actual primary (there should be one because apparently there are going to be the same usual people running who have yet to win against him) and I will have my website up this weekend.

[JohnKleeb]

25. yay good for you

Good luck. Send JD back to whereever hes from.

[dorktv]

26. I will know by the end of the race but at the moment I am gleefully

unaware of much of Hayworth's past.