From the Florida League of Cities
The 2018 elections season is upon us. We are beginning to hear about people from our communities filing to run for a number of open seats that are up in 2018. What a great opportunity for “us,” the advocates for our communities to help ensure the right people get elected to the State Legislature. Did you ever realize you had such power?
On the state level, we will see some changes with our State Legislature after the November elections. In the State Senate, there are 20 of the 40 senate seats open and up for election. Due to term limits, freshman senators will fill 10 of those seats.
In the House, all 120 seats are up for re-election. Thirty of those seats are term limited out and will be filled by freshman legislators. That doesn’t account for any incumbent who is choosing not to run for re-election before their eight-year limit is up. Now, is our chance to make some real changes in the legislature’s makeup.
Take a few minutes and answer the following questions.
- As advocates for our counties, cities and towns, do you know who is running for these open senate and house seats?
- Have you taken the time to learn where the candidates stand on issues that could affect your community?
- Do you know where they stand on Home Rule………. or better yet, do they know what Home Rule is?
If you answered YES to all these questions…...hooray!!! You are doing a great job as an advocate for your community.
If your answer is NO to any of these questions, then it’s time to jump into action.
Below are a few tips to help you get started:
From now to June, take the time to learn what seats are open in your district. Find out which incumbents are running for re-election. Find out who is running for the open seats. There are probably multiple candidates for each race.
Spend time speaking with each one of the candidates. Invite them to meet in your office. Meet them for coffee. Speak to them at an event. Unless they have previously been a local elected official on a council or commission, these women and men would love to meet with you, in the hope that you will endorse them.
When you speak to them, help them understand what is important to your community and the importance of protecting Home Rule. If they don’t know what Home Rule is………here is your opportunity! Give them the Home Rule 101 class.
After you have met with all of the candidates for a specific race, you may decide to support one of them. Candidates usually love having other elected officials’ support. Your support counts very heavily toward their election being successful.
If you do endorse a candidate, here are some acceptable tips on how to use that power, to help your candidate be the winner in November.
Whether you support an incumbent or opponent, anyone running for the State Legislature right now is focused on their campaign. Serious candidates will want and need your help to get elected in November. So here are just a few suggestions to get you started.
Endorse the candidate of your choice – Send the candidate a letter of support. Agree to be photographed with the candidate for use throughout his campaign. Attend events in support of this candidate and tell people why you support she/he.
Make a financial contribution, as much as you can afford and if the contribution is significant enough they will remember you if they are successfully elected. If a financial contribution is not an option, volunteering in their campaign can be just as valuable (and memorable).
Offer to spend a day with the candidate, introducing them to key residents in your city: This is grassroots campaigning at its best. Meet people in their homes; place of business or over a meal at a local restaurant. (Be sure meetings are scheduled in advance and confirmed). This puts a “face” on your city and the candidate can talk about their position on issues that are important to the voters face-to-face. The bonus for you is that you get to connect with some key constituents in your city.
Volunteer: As an elected official, people will want to know why you are supporting a candidate and many will offer them their support because they respect your opinion and knowledge of the issues that are part of the campaign. This is also another way for you to connect with your constituents and learn what’s on the minds of the voters.
Remember…you know your constituents better than anyone. Helping your candidate is the best way to start your own campaign towards successful advocacy between state and local government leaders. Home Rule matters and with your help, it will be around for a very long time!!!! Now of course, if you are running for re-election, yourself, you may want to take a lighter approach, and that is completely understandable. However, if you aren’t running this year, you can take full advantage of your influence.
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