Dingfelder's Long Walk About Town

Rep. Jackie Dingfelder has been going door to door in every campaign of her career, even those in which she ran unopposed.

This cycle, however, she has an opponent. Dingfelder is running in the primary for the State Senate seat about to be vacated by Avel Gordly, against Gordly's chief of staff Sean Cruz.

Dingfelder has been knocking on the doors of voters in District 23 since November. “My goal is to meet as many voters as possible at the doorstep over the course of the campaign. I get a chance to listen to their priorities and share my message about why I want to be their senator,” she said in reference to the months of walking.

She understands the power of grassroots campaigning; she said she is “in the process of establishing an aggressive, volunteer based, grassroots voter contact campaign.” Her opponent, Sean Cruz, also relies upon grassroots support, be it in a slightly more unconventional way.

While Cruz reaches out to people primarily by utilizing technology and holding ‘office hours’ at a local BBQ joint, Dingfelder walks, campaigns at house parties, and even rides her bike (in order to promote biker safety).

“Establishing a personal connection with the people I represent allows me to communicate effectively with them about my priorities and ensures that they can communicate effectively with me about their priorities,” Dingfelder noted.