OFA in the FL-19 Special Election: “Doing what we do best”
Tuesday was a huge day for Organizing for America–Florida. We helped elect Ted Deutch as the next Congressman in Florida’s 19th district, sending a strong representative to work for change with President Obama in Washington. The naysayers had claimed that this election would be a “referendum” on health care, showing that there was a backlash against the historic reform passed this year. But with Deutch’s victory, we showed that support for reform remains strong, and OFA has what it takes to win on the ground heading into the 2010 midterm elections.
Organizing for America worked hand-in-hand with the Deutch campaign doing what OFA does best: knocking on doors, making phone calls, and speaking to friends and neighbors. OFA made nearly 20,000 phone calls and sent nearly 10,000 text messages to voters in the district, hosted dozens of neighborhood meetings to recruit volunteers, scheduled hundreds of get-out-the-vote shifts resulting in thousands of conversations with voters.
Many OFA volunteers stepped up into real leadership roles to help ensure a Deutch victory. On Election Day, Jayne C. used her email listserv to bring volunteers into the office for phone banks and visibility events; Cynthia B. organized virtual phone banks so volunteers could make calls from home; and several volunteers organized phone banks in seniors’ communities – letting seniors know about early vote as well as Election Day. Community Organizer Dina H. activated her team to support the Deutch campaign and coordinated volunteers, and Mike C. made a list of strong Democrats in the area with birthdays on Election Day – wishing them ‘happy birthday’ and ensuring they got out to the polls.
Our work paid off, sending a representative to Washington who will stand with President Obama and help make change a reality. Moving into November, we know that Organizing for America Florida is a force to be reckoned with. We’re ready to win again in 2010.
Ashley Bauman is the OFA-Florida Press Secretary.
