Aftyn won the Democratic Primary in October. We have 3 more days to motivate Democratic/Independent/disenfranchised Trump voters to get out and vote. While Robertson County went for Trump by 22%, the last poll had Aftyn at 46% and her opponent at 48%. Suddenly, there is a Republican get out of the vote. It has been an amazing journey. Robertson County voter turnout rate is very low. There is no sense your vote will matter – the GOP candidates always win so why bother.
The first few weeks after she won the primary were VERY SLOW. It was all fundraising, canvassing and phone banking. There were very few public appearances. It didn’t make any sense to Craig and I. Our working hypothesis was that the DNC needed to get through the November 4th elections to see how much they wanted to invest in this solidly GOP district in TN. After the November sweep, our little District seemed more interesting. I think the campaign was told to keep a very LOW profile, i.e. do not create anything that could possible be NEGATIVE in the sprint to December 2. Do not commit to any appearances in the rural counties in case something more valuable comes along. Aftyn needed to spend all her time fundraising since she was not accepting corporate PAC money.
RCDP planned an Early Voting Kick-Off event on November 8th. All the candidates were notified prior to the Primary. After Aftyn won, we were told she had a conflict for the 8th and would not be able to attend. So we invited one of the other primary candidates that did well in Robertson County to the Kick-Off event. All candidates pledged to support the winner. The candidate, Darden, accepted our invitation. At our event, we had a Bake Sale, a decorated car rally, speeches, small goats to pet, a music circle around a fire pit AND a POP up Food Drive for United Ministries Food Bank of Robertson County. The weather was great.
Imagine our surprise when Aftyn showed up for our event. While our attendance was pretty good, it would have been much greater if we could have said she would be there.
I have led some canvassing groups in Springfield and phone banking of. Robertson County residents. The majority of the Campaign efforts were allocated to the 3 populace counties. I have been on a roller coaster of feeling pissed of how “unimportant” the rural counties were and understanding of the complexities of running an election with few paid people and the need to reserve money for commercials. The campaign team were so busy, they could not communicate with people or organize all of the potential volunteer help that was available. Frustrating but Special Elections take place over weeks to months rather than months to years.
Early on, Aftyn consistently posted on Facebook but many Robertson County residents are not on Facebook. It was hard to keep people engaged in trying to help her get elected. As the National attention grew as the polls showed her within 10 points.
I think my hypothesis was correct. Since November 4th, Aftyn has been everywhere and the National and Global (BBC story) attention to the possible UPSET of this incredibly gerrymandered district has skyrocketed. The DNC Chair, Ken Martin was here. Kamala Harris canvassed when she was here on her book tour. I got a postcard from a New Jersey woman which I greatly appreciated.
As of 3 days ago, Aftyn had narrowed the gap to 2 which is in the margin of error. I think Aftyn is a great candidate and will make a great legislator. The challenges associated with trying to “help” from a nonprioritized rural area will fade and if she wins will go away. I
will be out canvassing Saturday and Sunday. I will take Monday off because I will be a voting machine operator on the Tuesday for Election Day. We have to be there at 6 and have to stay until everyone in line at 7 PM votes.
We are supposed to go to Aftyn’s Election Watch party in Nashville – hopefully I will have the energy for it.
Go Aftyn.
Tamara Unleashed 