We launched the 140 District Project to beat Trump on Sunday, and even though it wasn’t recommended (hint), there was an excellent response.
What is the 140 District Project?
(We’ll get to Matt Gaetz below.)
From the diary:
Remember Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy? Here’s a chance to replicate it on a state district level.
Florida has 160 legislative seats: 120 House (State Representative) Districts and 40 Senate Districts (20 of which are being elected this year).
But Democrats only have candidates in about 95 House and 15 Senate Districts. So a total of about 30 districts have no Democratic candidates.
This site lists all of the candidates for all races. (You have to scroll down to get to the Senate and the House lists). For example, Senate District 1 lists only incumbent — Republican Douglas Broxson.
There is a $1,800 fee to be a candidate, so potential candidates need to be assured they will be funded for at least that amount.
The diary’s poll asked: Will you contribute at least $5 to a candidate in a currently uncontested Florida District? The result was Yes: 95 votes; No: 5 votes.
One commenter pledged to completely fund one candidate for the full $1,800 [Note — there is a limit of $1,000 per candidate per donor, so the commenter would have to team with a spouse or another person or divide the contribution between two candidates].
Another commenter committed to give $5 for each uncontested seat we recruit (i.e., $125-150) and more after candidates become known). Others $5, plus more later.
If you live in one of these districts, consider running yourself! They’re around cities including Pensacola, Panama City, Gainsville, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Palm Beach, the “Villages,” Sarasota, Naples, and Ft. Myers
Now — Why Matt Gaetz?
Well, Matt’s District includes about 4-6 of the open House districts and parts of one Senate District. He’s used to skating by. But this year:
- Merely having Democratic candidates in a District increases Democratic turnout for President and Congress
- Having Democrats in “safe” R districts forces Republicans to spend there, taking away resources from other Districts.
- Having a candidate energizes Democrats in the district to participate and donate on state, congressional and Presidential levels.
- The recruited candidates will help contribute to future Democratic leadership, and maybe even a “star” will emerge.
Increasing Democratic turnout by running in legislative elections will make Gaetz have to spend money and maybe even sweat.
Here’s his incredible opponent Commander Phil Ehr, Ret.
I’m including another poll to get an idea of how many people will contribute at least $5, so if you took the poll for the prior diary, please don’t for this one. Of course, please feel free to recommend so we can try to disseminate this as widely as possible.
Thanks to 90for90.org and the Drs. Fergie Reid Sr. and Jr. for their help and advice.