A CivFanatic Running for Florida State Legislature

[Toasty]

Hi there CivFanatics,

I don't know how many of you will recognize me, but I hope some of you do. CivFanatics was a huge influence for me in understanding the nature of the world. To this day, I regularly talk about how my interactions with other individuals on CivFanatics made me open to learning lessons from individuals of foreign cultures, nations, and languages. Saying that my experience on CFC was formative is understating things. If you want to learn more of my background, you can visit www.nakuipersdesign.com.

I am working to put together a campaign for the state legislature in my area.

My question to you Fanatics is, what would you want to say to a person running for office in Florida? I like to think that this is a uniquely impactful position on the world stage. What would you want to say to a minor player in the legislation of the most powerful country in the world?

Thank you CFC for being you. Please talk to me as much as you want to.

 

[EnglishEdward]

The current US political polarisation into tribes isn't likely to last forever.

And you will likely have to stand several times to get elected.

I suggest you might sell yourself as sensible and trustworthy to key individuals in your
target constituency, this is probably best done by adopting a low profile in the culture war.

 

[IglooDame]

The current US political polarisation into tribes isn't likely to last forever.

And you will likely have to stand several times to get elected.

I suggest you might sell yourself as sensible and trustworthy to key individuals in your
target constituency, this is probably best done by adopting a low profile in the culture war.

A low profile in the culture war... in Florida?

Anyway... what would I say to a person running for office in Florida? "Could you please lay off the scapegoating of LGBTQ+ and immigrant folk, and ideally get your fellow officeholders to do the same."

Edit: I just saw your sig, so really the second part of the statement, moreso.

 

[Plains-Cow]

Do you like cows?

 

[Theov]

My question to you Fanatics is, what would you want to say to a person running for office in Florida? I like to think that this is a uniquely impactful position on the world stage. What would you want to say to a minor player in the legislation of the most powerful country in the world?

Thank you CFC for being you. Please talk to me as much as you want to.

As a politician, what do you think is your responsibility?

 

[FriendlyFire]

Good luck but Florida is heavily Republican you have a mountain to climb

 

[Hygro]

Good luck, Toasty

 

[EnglishEdward]

... and ideally get your fellow officeholders to do the same....

But Toastie doesn't have any fellow officeholders until he is elected.

Good luck but Florida is heavily Republican you have a mountain to climb

Which is one of the reasons why I recommend a low profile in the culture wars.

 

[Hygro]

If you want to be a state rep you should knock on as many doors are there are homes in your district.

 

[GenMarshall]

Which is one of the reasons why I recommend a low profile in the culture wars.

I’m not sure if that would help. Even going by his signature, I’m not all that inclined to vote for a progressive leftist.

 

[EnglishEdward]

Candidates will be asked what their position is on this and that, and no doubt some voters will be put off by truthful
replies, but in my experience what voters look for is someone who understands them and will look after their local issues
rather than see the election as just a means of getting into power to promulgate factional or personal ideologies.

 

[Gorbles]

The good news there is that the issues being talked around in very vague terms will directly apply to peoples' lives and are part and parcel of their local issues. Win-win, really.

 

[IglooDame]

I’m not sure if that would help. Even going by his signature, I’m not all that inclined to vote for a progressive leftist.

When is the last time you voted for a Democrat? I'm not sure you are his target voter anyway.

 

[AmazonQueen]

I’m not sure if that would help. Even going by his signature, I’m not all that inclined to vote for a progressive leftist.

Not even if the alternative was a reactionary bigot?

A Democrat running in Florida will have to be able to appeal to more than progressive leftists to win but I'd hope they can do that without abandoning their principles.

 

[Gori the Grey]

I think this is great that you're doing this. Good luck to you.

My first bit of advice would be NOT to care what CFCers think you should do with the post. As Hygro said, get out there and find out what your constituents would want of you in the role. Your sole job is to represent them as effectively as you can. Find as many vehicles as you can for them to communicate with you: an inviting website that says "tell me what's on your mind," you dropping in on coffee shops and just sitting for three minutes asking "what would you want to see your state representative fight for?"

Just listen. Take it in. Don't put too much stock on any one answer (since you might be talking with an outlier). But once trends emerge, put that as a question to the people you talk to: "I've been hearing people say X; is that a big concern for you?" but always add "or is there something even more important?"

Vote Toasty! The other candidates are toast!

Vote Toasty! The best thing since sliced bread!

(You see where CFC can help you is with your sloganeering!)

 

[GenMarshall]

When is the last time you voted for a Democrat? I'm not sure you are his target voter anyway.

The last time I voted for a Democrat was back in 2020, namely Joe Courtney. Contrary to what most on this board would think, I'm still registered part of the Democratic Party.

Not even if the alternative was a reactionary bigot?

I don't vote for communists/socialists/tankies nor do I vote for a politician who sees me, a white straight cishet male, the most evil thing on the face the planet and the cause of all societal ills. Even after leaving the Anti-SJW community, why would I even give support to a faction that not only would be willing to go after my retirement plan, 401k, private property and wealth, but sees me as an irredeemable scum of the earth and chuck me into the gulag for old views that I disavowed (The old tired "once a fascist, always a fascist" bull)?

A Democrat running in Florida will have to be able to appeal to more than progressive leftists to win but I'd hope they can do that without abandoning their principles.

They'd also would have to appeal/win back disaffected Democrats. Though I don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

[AmazonQueen]

I don't vote for communists/socialists/tankies nor do I vote for a politician who sees me, a white straight cishet male, the most evil thing on the face the planet and the cause of all societal ills. Even after leaving the Anti-SJW community, why would I even give support to a faction that not only would be willing to go after my retirement plan, 401k, private property and wealth, but sees me as an irredeemable scum of the earth and chuck me into the gulag for old views that I disavowed (The old tired "once a fascist, always a fascist" bull)?

I think you have a still have a strange idea of what most progressives (especially in the US) are or think.

 

[Ajidica]

My first bit of advice would be NOT to care what CFCers think you should do with the post.

This.
Even though we at CFC are intellectuals*: those who can, do; those who can't, post about what they would do online.
Just make sure to have the hose handy in case any of the bath salt brigade think you stole the election with the help of the Pope and Tom Hanks.

*Anyone else been here long enough to remember that meme?

 

[GenMarshall]

I think you have a still have a strange idea of what most progressives (especially in the US) are or think.

If you know any progressive leftists that aren't dismissive of my experiences, I'm all ears. Until then, this bitter old man is on his own journey.

 

[Gori the Grey]

But do tell us about the circumstances, Toasty. Is it a blue enough district that you have hope of being elected? Is the post held by a Democrat now? Is that person retiring, or do you have to beat him or her in a primary? Or is it a narrowly red district, where you're trying to unseat a Republican? Or a deeply red district, where you will face an uphill struggle?