Good news for the Campaign, the Debate, and more in our RuralOrganizing.org Weekly update!
Welcome to our weekly update on what’s happening in progressive policies and activism in rural America. This week has seen a torrent of news.
As many of you know by now, our founder and Executive Director, Matt Hildreth, is on leave, having joined the Harris/Walz campaign as “National Director of Rural Outreach.” And, it sure seems like the campaign is leaning into rural issues.
This week, the campaign published their agenda for rural America in a document titled, “We Believe In Rural America”
Just a few of the two pages of specific action items:
Leaning into the existing investment in 30,000 rural childcare businesses
A commitment to $130 Million for rural doctor and nurse training, and for expanded telehealth
Job training and placement for rural veterans
Standing up for farm workers' rights with extreme heat protections, overtime pay, and better minimum wage provisions.
Following through on the commitment to get high-speed internet to everyone, with $90 billion
$11 billion to build out reliable, clean energy in rural communities
We can see that the Harris-Walz campaign gets the concerns rising to the top in small towns and rural areas - the ability to work a good job, to get the healthcare we need, and to have the infrastructure around us to be safe, healthy, and live a good life.
Another major event of the past week was the first debate between the Vice President and Donald Trump. We provide a longer statement, here, but the gist was this:
Only one candidate in tonight’s debate cares about issues that matter to rural Americans, and that’s clearly Kamala Harris. From health care and housing prices to abortion rights and the climate crisis, the Vice President has a clear vision for our future that empowers rural people to achieve the American dream.
Rural communities need lower prices, higher wages, and a better quality of life. Kamala Harris spoke to a better possible future. Donald Trump had nothing to offer rural communities except his usual rants and divisiveness.
In news closer to the homefront, our Organizing Manager for Ohio, Brent Edwards, reports that RuralOrganizing.org has launched additional voter contact hubs in Cincinnati, OH to knock doors in the surrounding rural communities about the citizen-led redistricting campaign and for Get-Out-The-Vote efforts for rural progressive champion Senator Sherrod Brown. The Cincinnati hub will be focused on door to door voter efforts in the suburban and rural areas of Butler, Warren and Clermont counties. This adds to RO’s hubs in Athens, and Steubenville Ohio. We will be knocking on 100,000 rural doors in Ohio this cycle!
RO is currently active in 16 counties, and will be adding to this list through Election Day. This 100 percent local-Ohio staff has a mix of seasoned campaigners, and those new to the profession who want to have their voice heard about the future of their state and nation. RO’s relentless focus on local voters talking to neighbors about the issues that matter most will be pivotal in ensuring an equitable and thriving future for those living in small towns and rural communities.
In Pennsylvania, we know Election Deniers are organizing to attack the rights of Pennsylvania voters. We are inviting supporters and allies to take tangible action to stand up for their neighbors and stand up for democracy and be one of the heroes that saves the Pennsylvania elections by attending our training, Protecting Pennsylvania’s Elections, Thursday, September 19, at 6pm.
The entire national election could hinge on Pennsylvania and margins are going to be razor thin. That's why Election Deniers are trying to stop Pennsylvanians from voting, stop votes from counting, and scheming to sabotage the normal administration of our elections. This training will connect members to the organizations and experts who know what needs to be done and will present you with opportunities to stand up for democracy in your community and stand up against Election Deniers. Free and Fair Elections in Pennsylvania are in OUR hands.
And, something we’re very excited about is the yard sign campaign we’ve launched with RuralVote.Org. Here’s the update:
* 25,000 issue signs distributed in MT and OH over past two years
* 16,000 partisan Senate candidate signs will be placed by October 1st in MT and OH
* 864 volunteers in Montana
* 849 unique small towns in Montana
* 3453 volunteers in Ohio
* 995 small towns and rural communities in Ohio
One thing our research has shown is that our yard signs generate four to six conversations so the reach extends far beyond the actual number of signs. And, it’s not an understatement to say that the level of enthusiasm has increased markedly over the past few weeks.
So, a lot is happening. Follow us on socialmedia or check our website to keep up!