An endorsement is a formal way of signaling and mobilizing your Indivisible group’s support for a candidate. Powerful endorsements are not empty statements, but real commitments that promise concrete actions by your group and members. This chapter goes deeper on what a candidate endorsement is; what the campaign gets from your endorsements; and what your Indivisible group can achieve by using endorsements.
In a good primary, there’s a robust campaign and a healthy exchange of ideas, allowing for the best candidate to carry the nomination into the general election. And in a healthy primary, everyone unites behind the nominee at the end of the day. This chapter is about how your group can make that happen.
At the end of the day, you’re endorsing a candidate because you think they’re the best person to hold political office. But making that assessment involves thinking through a lot of factors about who the candidate is, what they stand for, and what their chances are. This chapter reviews key factors your Indivisible group will want to consider.
This chapter discusses how your Indivisible group can go about making that endorsement: from getting to know a candidate to issuing your endorsement statement, you’ll learn what to do -- and what not to do -- when your group wants to throw its hat into the electoral ring.
To amplify and further the impact of the endorsements of local groups, Indivisible will facilitate a grassroots-driven national endorsement program for federal (U.S. Senate and U.S House) and gubernatorial candidates. Indivisible groups who have undertaken an endorsement process in their district or state can submit a local endorsement for national consideration.
There may be times when you and other members of your group are asked to speak to a journalist. Leadership team members may be asked to answer questions about the story of your group or correct misinformation that is out there. Individuals impacted by a certain policy may have opportunities to share their stories.
Several Members of Congress (MoCs) have adopted tactics aimed at suppressing your involvement in their public events and town halls. Here are some tips for dealing with sham town halls in your district.
Indivisibles know that recruitment is a key component of building local power, but it is not always easy to meet and identify new potential activists or reactivate your existing list. It’s hard, intentional work (like anything that matters).