Special Report

Election 2024

‘We Will Not Win Unless We Do The Work’: A Conversation with a Ventura, CA Democratic Organizer

By

October 9, 2024

Categories

Special Report: Election 2024

Tags

, , , ,

Share

(CAMARILLO, Calif.) — As America counts down to election day, the shifting voting trends of individual counties can have a local and national impact. Francesca Adams, the organizing director of the Ventura County Democratic Party, is keenly aware of this fact. Adams leads efforts to mobilize voters and enhance civic engagement. Recently, she spoke to The Click, about the party’s strategies to elect Democrats down the ballot and keep Ventura County blue.

The Click: What is something you learned about politics/elections under your role as the Organizing Director that the public should know? Can you share your journey? 

Adams: In 2018, I started meeting more people, and getting more involved. I got involved with the Young Democrats of Ventura County… so with political organizing people pay it forward every time. I like to use that phrase because that’s how we learn, especially in local politics.

What strategies has the Ventura County Democratic Party found most effective in winning local races against Republican candidates?

Francesca Adams chats with a reporter during a virtual call. [Credit: Valeria Garcia]

We have a comprehensive, coordinated campaign where there’s a system in place. We want to see the candidate, what they’re offering, and make sure that they feel supported. That is really beneficial in our strategy and making sure we’re taking care of our candidates as much as we can. Having over 40 candidates in a county, we like to meet people where they’re at and with the voters and encourage candidates and interested people in the community to come together. It takes a well run organization to get all of these tasks done, making sure that all the candidates have the resources and tools that we can provide them.

With misinformation being a significant issue, what strategies do the VC Democrats utilize for countering false narratives in local and national campaigns?

Right now we’re collecting data for the Harris campaign and the other Democratic parties. We’re getting lies perpetuated for the people who are saying, “I’m for Trump” and one of our phone bankers says “Why?” It goes into the conversation of Trump’s economy and people not really realizing Trump had Obama’s economy. We have to be very mindful of how we talk to people, of meeting people where they are, and be mindful of people who are still hurting and are living paycheck to paycheck. It’s unfair saying we have this great economy when they’re suffering. The other thing is that some Democrats believe Kamala has her win in the bag. If our phone bankers aren’t calling, we will not win. We will not win unless we do the work.

How do you envision fostering unity between Democrats and Republicans, especially during primaries, to ensure Democrats present a strong front in general elections?

We have to be very understanding of how we phrase things to make it very neutral. Since Trump, a filter has been erased. I feel like there should be people thinking before they speak, instead of just saying what they feel like they should say in that exact moment without kind of doing that… being intentional with the issues and intentional with how you talk to each other.

What strategies do the VC Dems have in place to engage independent voters, particularly in swing districts?

We have to talk about the issues… policy is politics, but there’s so much valid emotion in politics. The strategy we have to have in place [is] listening to one another, and being mindful of language being [sent] in mail, on social media posts for campaigns. So when we’re targeting third party voters, we make the messaging a bit more neutral, but not changing it.

Special Report: Election 2024

Canadian flag

December 20, 2024

Trump 2.0: US Expats are Happy to Call Canada Home

Google searches for moving to Canada skyrocketed on Nov. 6 after the U.S. election. What's fueling Americans' growing interest in the Great White North?

December 13, 2024

Rhode Islanders voted for $120 million in new housing. Where will the money be spent?

Housing prices are out of reach for the average worker in RI. Will the new affordable housing bond make a difference?

Melissa with suitcase

December 13, 2024

Should They Stay or Should They Go?

After the election, Americans abroad are conflicted about moving home.

December 13, 2024

Post-Election Southwest Virginia Eyes Looming Economic Promises

What was once the most influential region in the state diminished into the most underdeveloped. Governor Glenn Youngkin, along with others in the Republican party, promises to fight for the revitalization of abandoned coal land. Meanwhile, Virginia Democrats see a different path to economic development in Virginia, with the installation of solar farms making its way into the Southwest.

December 10, 2024

San Franciscans Reclaim Their City

San Franciscans got results after organizing dozens of neighborhood groups to roll back a progressive approach to crime from pre-pandemic years. 

Read More