Several weeks ago I posted a diary over at Daily Kos called Run, Dee Dee, Run. In it I called on people to email a note of encouragement to a popular ex-politician who was thinking about running for a Florida State House seat that had come open due to the Governor appointing the Republican incumbent to a state administrative job.
A local Pensacola, Florida blog reported the results this way:
Earlier this week, the liberal national blog Daily Kos posted a reference to Ritchie possibly running and she was flooded with emails voicing support.
But, it was to no avail. Dee Dee decided that she didn’t have the fire needed for a full scale dead heat special election set for February 27. At first, I was disappointed, but then I realized what my true purpose in this whole affair was.
To tell you the truth, Dee Dee was a well-connected local celebrity, she didn’t need our help. But, I must thank her for her equivocation, because it drew me into the race. And that is where I learned about Liz Campbell.
Liz retired from the Navy in March of 2006 and moved back to her home for the last decade, Pensacola, Florida. A three-term Republican incumbent, Holly Benson, was planning on running unopposed for the State House District 3 seat. As a proud Democrat, Liz decided that wouldn’t do and jumped into the race even though she would only have six months to build an organization and campaign.
Of course, you can guess how the election came out. She got thumped 62% to 38%, but at least she did better than the candidate for the US Congressional District for that region. He lost 68%-32%! So, maybe she did do a few things right. And she definitely wasn’t a quitter. She had already pre-registered for the 2008 election for the seat. And when the special election was announced she quickly threw her hat in the ring.
Back when I was rooting for Dee Dee I pooh-poohed Campbell as a token candidate. I was hoping the State Democratic Party and the Democratic State Legislators would use their power and influence to persuade her to withdraw so that we could quickly unite around a strong candidate.
But then something real funny happened.
After Dee Dee pulled out I started thinking about it and realized that Liz Campbell is the kind of candidate the netroots is made for. She’s not glamorous, she’s not well-connected, she’s just a decent, hardworking, dedicated public servant. What was I thinking!
Liz has a website if you’d like to check it out. You can also donate money there through a secure server.
But, why should you bother? She’s just a little nobody in a Podunk corner of a problematic purple state.
Well, first let me quote from this St. Petersburg Times article that came out right after the election:
But most intriguing is what happened in the Florida House. Democrats lost control of the chamber a decade ago and have been losing seats ever since. But on Tuesday they gained seven seats, ousting two Republican incumbents and winning five open seats. . .
That’s right. The 2006 elections turned the tide here in Florida. And now Democrats have the opportunity to start pushing back.
Nationally, the 2006 elections were a test of DNC Chairman Howard Dean‘s 50 State Strategy, being competitive in as many areas as possible. The House District 3 special election is a chance to implement that policy here in Florida.
The real point here is this is a special election, and everything depends on turnout. This race is one of those where you can actually steal a seat with a little hustle. And it’s not an impossibility. The popular Democratic Senator Bill Nelson won the district in the 2006 election.
Okay, so it’s important. But what’s it got to do with you. Well, the easiest way to answer that is to say 27 electoral college votes. That’s what Florida has. And, in case you haven’t noticed, they haven’t been in the “D” column for a decade.
In other words . . .
If you want your presidential candidate (whoever that might be) to get Florida’s 27 electoral votes and thereby win the 2008 election, then you need to donate money to Liz‘s campaign today.
If you want your presidential candidate (whoever that might be) living in the White House starting in 2009, then you need to recommend this diary so even more people will see it and donate money.
If you want your presidential candidate (whoever that might be) to be able to lead this nation in a new direction two years from now, then you need to support our efforts at Turning Florida Blue, because we’re working our butts off down here to make it all happen.
Let’s do the John Lennon thing. I want you to imagine this possibility. What if this effort is so successful at raising money for Liz she actually wins?
What if every Democrat in the district can be targeted? What if busloads of volunteers can be brought in from heavily Democratic Tallahassee to help out? What if Liz has enough money for air time to get her message out?
Look, if Liz Campbell wins this seat it will be front page news in every newspaper in Florida. And who do you think would get the credit if Liz does win? That’s right, YOU and the netroots!
Every politician in the country will sit up and take notice. Time magazine will be right! You are the Person of the Year.
Before Dee Dee dropped out I responded to a Campbell supporter’s dissatisfaction with my championing of Ritchie with this:
I wished we lived in a world where people like Liz Campbell won by big majorities instead of people like Holly Benson.
But we don’t. I’m sorry.
You know what? I was speaking like some stinking pundit spouting the conventional wisdom when I said that. And I’m ashamed of myself.
Prove me wrong. Show me we DO live in a world like that!
Click here to contribute to Liz’s campaign.
If you perfer to mail a check, the address is:
Elizabeth Campbell Campaign
3305 W. Lee St
Pensacola Fl. 32505
[ActBlue cannot accept contributions for candidates in Florida races due to campaign finance laws]