After returning from a monthly Democratic meeting where a topic of discussion concerning getting candidates to run in areas where we have none even running, I decided to investigate my rural home county of Gentry MO in North West MO. I was rather shocked at some of the stats. Now, bear in mind that my information is from Wikipedia, and may not be entirely accurate.
My first shock was that
- “Democrats hold all but three of the elected positions in the county”.
- In the Presidential elections of 1988, 1992 and 1996, Democrats voted for the blue candidate with a good margin (4, 6, & 9%).
- In 2006, Gentry County passed an increase the minimum wage increase by 63% of the vote.
Where it gets interesting is the other elections.
The Missouri House of Representatives, which holds an election every 2 years
- In the last 3 elections, was won by a Republican.
- In two of those elections, there was no Democratic filed.
- But in 2014, a Democrat ran and lost in a close election (52.68 to 47.32 %)
For the Mo Senate, in 2014, only a Republican ran and of course, won.
For the US Senate
- In 2012, a Democrat was elected and in 2016, a Republican won.
- A contributing factor might be that they both rode in on the coattails of their parties successful taking of the Presidential office
- The US House seat has been held for several years by a popular Republican.
Democrats have won in this area considered red. At the county level, by a good percent and at the US Senate level, a 50-50 split with a good showing for a state representative. The obvious factor is the need for a Democrat to run for the Missouri Congress.
I keep looking at the person who ran for the MO House and came within 5 points when not only had no one challenged this spot, but this is supposed to be a red area. At the very local level, Democrats rule. Is this an opportunity and how can we capitalize?
Forget party affiliation. Think issues. Think issues that matter to the rural communities and that cross-party lines.
For example; Medicaid Expansion in Missouri.
- Hospitals are closing.
- Doctors are leaving.
- Nursing jobs are disappearing.
- Senior Citizen health care and housing are facing cuts
If I can go door to door, attend meetings, meet the public with a promise of greater care for the poor, sick and aged without saying “I’m running for office”, I have moved the bar. If instead, I can say, “I’m collecting signatures for a petition to place ‘Medicaid Expansion in Missouri’ on the ballot”, using that for an opening. If in the process you find they are not registered to vote, then help them register. You have shown yourself as someone who cares. As you leave, “I’m running for representative in the MO Congress, here is my card. Vote for me!” Party affiliation has not been an issue.
What is the Republican candidate going to say? Will he come out against Medicaid Expansion in Missouri? Let him rant and rave, making up stories and facts.
It so happens that I have a petition with the state of MO going through the process of approval for distribution for Medicaid Expansion in Missouri. In addition, I have a petition going through the process for increasing funding for our schools in poverty areas which include most of rural Mo.
(You can view them on my web site www.Our-Voice.Us or go to MO web site for Medicaid Expansion or school funds
Now with tools to work with and all types of associations connected to women who would be impacted by these issues, we have lists of organizations that can fund, furnish volunteers and even run for these political offices in the rural areas.
In 2014, when there were two candidates in Gentry County for the Missouri House of Representatives, the Republican candidate received 844 votes. The Democratic candidate received 758 votes. I think of the three main towns in Gentry County. I think of Stanberry with 1100 residents, Albany with 1700 residents, King City with 1000 residents and each one small enough that in a couple of days, each one could have each home contacted. I know one would have to go back to catch the residents not home, but I can see these areas as small enough that a candidate could contact every resident, unlike larger cities where it takes mailings and advertising to reach everyone. In addition, the candidate may know many of those in the town where they now live.
I think we can reach every rural county in Missouri and we can change the conversation.