So, I just got my first ever piece of physical mail from the KS Democratic Party and I thought I’d share something pretty fantastic along with a hearty “Thank you!” to Chris Reeves in particular, and to everyone else who made this happen (transcript below the fold for folks who can’t read the image):
The letter reads:
Friend,
We couldn’t have done it without you.
2016 has been called the “tale of two elections.” While things certainly did not pan out on the national stage the way we had hoped, we have a lot to be proud of here in Kansas. We’d like to take a moment to thank you.
Kansas Democrats made huge gains this year in a number of areas. We have grown from just 40 organized county parties in 2014 to 63 organized counties in 2016. This growth helped recruit a historically full slate of Senate candidates (the first time in over 30 years) and a large number of qualified House candidates. Our monthly giving program, the Blue Kansas Club, has increased from bringing in about $800 each month from 54 donors, currently bringing in $13,000 monthly from over 650 Kansans.
As Vice-President Biden would say, that’s a big freakin’ deal.
With such wonderful support, we were able to hire field organizers in each of our four congressional districts — which vastly improved our ground game in the “get out the vote” phase of the election cycle. The results of our efforts could not be more clear: with 13 new House seats and 1 new Senate seat while maintaining all of our incumbents, Democrats in Kansas gained more seats than in any other state in the country. And they say there are no Democrats in Kansas!
So again, thank you. Because this success is truly the product of all of us working together as a united front we can honestly say we couldn’t have done it without you!
As proud as we are of 2016, we still have work to do going forward. County parties play a crucial role in recruiting qualified candidates and organizing local Democrats, and we must keep working towards our ultimate goal of 105 organized county parties.
Additionally, with the number of new legislators we were able to elect, it is imperative that we ensure Democrats remain in the legislature by supporting our incumbents. Particularly as Brownback and his allies continue to peddle their agenda of discrimination an inequality, we need now more than ever to safeguard Democratic voices in our legislative process.
Will you show your support for our county parties and incumbents by contributing to our 2017 victory fund?
Or, join over 650 Kansans who are committed to turning Kansas blue by signing up for a monthly contribution and joining the Blue Kansas Club. (Members of the BKC will not receive any further fundraising solicitations, and also receive exclusive perks!)
While the President-Elect may bring some cause for gloom, Democrats here in Kansas certainly have a lot to smile about. Thank you for your continued, unselfish support and onward to victory!
(signature)
Kerry Gooch,
Executive Director
*all emphases in the original.
So, a few thoughts:
WOW! The very first piece of mail I get from my local party and they knock it out of the park? Well done! This is the first piece of political messaging I’ve heard since November 9th that actually made me feel better. This approach, right here, is so much more effective than the endless “sky is falling” emails I get (and which are promptly sorted straight to junk, based on their frequency) from the DNC.
This campaign season I donated first to Sanders, then to Clinton, then to the KS Dems. Not much, but I gave what I could. I’ve never seriously contemplated committing to a monthly contribution, but this letter right here has changed that. I will be sending back the enclosed envelope with payment details to set up a recurring donation...not because I want to stick it to Brownback, but because I want to be part of a group like this; one that thanks its members, gives hope, and touts our successes to encourage participation rather than wailing about our losses and trying to drive me with fear or anger.
I am more excited than ever to start attending county party meetings after the holidays.
Again, thank you Chris...and thank you, too, to all the other folks here on DK that are actively involved in trying to turn it all around at the local level, wherever you are.
Thursday, Dec 15, 2016 · 3:18:14 PM +00:00 · x1628
Per a great suggestion in the comments, here is a link to the KS Democratic Party’s website:
www.ksdp.org
Here’s their contact info:
501 SE Jefferson St, Suite 30
Topeka, KS 66607
Phone: 785-234-0425
Fax: 785-234-8420
And here is a link to the Blue Kansas Club they reference in the letter:
www.ksdp.org/…
Please, consider finding your state and/or your county party and getting involved with them, whether that’s through financial support, volunteering, or just attending party meetings and getting to know your fellow Democrats.