It was almost a throwaway comment. Gov. Chris Sununu, fresh from a successful re-election, responded to a question from Laura Knoy on NHPR’s The Exchange the day after the elections. She asked him how he felt, and he started by saying, “Well, election campaigns are hard on families,” but quickly moved on to other aspects of the reflection.
Perhaps this is one element of campaigning that could be more widely acknowledged and taken into consideration by anyone thinking of running in 2020.
Election campaigns take a toll, not just at the national level and state levels, but at the local level, too. Campaigning for a the office of state representative here in New Hampshire, even in relatively small districts of a few thousand constituents, can generate as much work and requires as much dedication as campaigns in much more populous areas.
This is especially true in the rural “swing” districts, characterized by a demographically diverse electorate, including significant numbers of independents or undeclareds. I write as the wife of a N.H. state representative, having observed the four past election cycles in Merrimack District 9.
This little two-town district has swung from purple to blue and purple again in the past few years. And I venture to suggest that all the candidates, from whichever party, have worked their proverbial socks off to campaign in the past six years as individuals as well as members of one of a major party.
The practical reality for hard-working state reps in districts where there is no such thing as a “safe” seat is that they need to work for many months to plan and execute campaigns, on top of any other commitments they might have as incumbents and/or as employees or family members.
It was heartening to read this past week that there will be an increase in younger state representatives but, in general, it is well known that the N.H. House is largely full of retirees with gray hair because it does not pay a proper salary. And even so-called “retirees” have lives to live.
The pressure to campaign successfully at the local level inevitably takes a toll on partners and families just as much as it must do for a candidate running for the gubernatorial office.
For starters, the state reps have to fundraise for themselves. They don’t generally have a staff or office, so that means spouses or friends have to take on tasks and domestic space can get taken over as a campaign HQ.
Organizing and communicating is labor-intensive and incredibly important, and the level of activism witnessed this past cycle has been unprecedented and amazing to behold. Community members have worked according to their values and beliefs as the country experiences the ripple effects of a deeply polarizing White House.
But it all takes time and over the months takes a toll. Many candidates and activists will be suffering from viruses, head colds and coughs in the days after the election as their bodies relax somewhat, and they recover from sleep deficits and the chilling rain on Election Day.
While technology assists to some extent in the communication process, nothing makes up for face-to-face meetings and door-to-door knocking. This takes more time and physical energy than sitting at a phone bank but all the evidence seems to be that it is definitely worthwhile for the quality of the interactions.
Candidates and canvassers who have had the most success in door-to-door canvassing are generally the local folks who actually live in the area. It is quite old-fashioned and authentic in that regard. But it allows for a candidate to be viewed as a person in their own right, as well as a representative of a party whose agenda and behavior they might not completely agree with.
The demographics of our particular rural district following the 2010 redistricting suggested that only Republicans could win. But clearly there has been a great deal of split-ticket voting taking place.
It shows that the enormous effort over time can yield results – even if the results are nail bitingly close each time.
(Lois Scribner, the wife of state Rep. Howard Moffett, lives in Canterbury.)