WurfWhile

Democrat Tammy Duckworth’s campaign in the 6th Congressional District has done well with press and publicity. During the primary she gathered almost all the major Democratic endorsements. She raised more money than her primary opponents put together. In the general election, Tammy has policies much more moderate (and reasonable) than her Republican opponent. She is a smart candidate with a compelling story. There is only one major campaign component Tammy has lacked - a convincing ground operation - and that almost cost her the primary to Christine Cegelis’ vaunted, last minute field operation. A month ago Tammy hired Jon Carson as campaign manager to fix campaign field operations. Carson, with experience in state and federal campaigns, is an interesting choice. The Duckworth campaign is hoping lessons Carson has learned mobilizing ground operations in tough races will make the difference in the 6th Congressional race.

Wisconsin native Jon Carson, 31, has just come off a two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Honduras, applying his civil engineering education to drinking water problems in that country. Duckworth Communications Director Billy Weinberg said that Carson’s Peace Corps work is one of the things Tammy Duckworth looks for in staff, a commitment to public service. Carson is a veteran of numerous political campaigns from Russ Feingold’s 1998 winning senate race to serving as an Al Gore regional field coordinator in Iowa for the 2000 presidential caucuses. In 2002, as Coordinated Campaign Director, Jon helped develop a database for the South Carolina Democrats targeting African-American voters, using computer efficiency to maximize the impact of local volunteers making multiple personal contacts with voters. It was a tough year in the south for Democrats and Carson’s GOTV efforts exceeded 1998 totals, but were not as much as some hoped. As he told The State, one thing Jon took away from his efforts was that the “[technology’s] only use is to increase the efficiency of the personal contact.” It’s not a bad mantra for what ailed the Duckworth campaign in the primaries. Jon Carson’s last political job, a winning 2003 field operation in New Jersey’s legislative races where Democrats took control of the state for the first time in a decade by winning a state legislative majority, is a hopeful sign for political change to come.

I spent a few minutes on the phone with Jon asking him about his background and what he brings to the race. Here’s a summary of what I took from the Q&A session.

A Wisconsin Democrat in Honduras

After a bruising primary battle that left some hard feelings and showed weakness on the ground, Tammy Duckworth opted for a campaign manager with extensive field operation experience who comes to the race with a blank slate. The fact Jon Carson was out of the country and not involved in the 6th congressional primary race is an asset. Jon indicated to me that he is very interested in getting former Christine Cegelis and Lindy Scott volunteers and supporters involved in Tammy’s campaign. While Carson comes across politically polished, he also seems personable, and his recognition of the need to expand local involvement, sincere. After a hotly contested primary a new face, a new volunteer emphasis and sincerity will not win over everyone. But there are a sizable number of local Democrats, independents and Republicans feeling abandoned by their party who seek a moderate candidate after years of right-wing representation. Tammy Duckworth represents that moderation in this race. Duckworth’s opponent, Peter Roskam, represents more of the same.

Getting The Job Done Through Organization and Personal Outreach

Jon Carson sees his role largely as keeping the campaign “on task and efficient” while getting his candidate, Tammy Duckworth, in front of as many people as possible. Openly acknowledging a debt to Christine Cegelis’ approach, Carson seeks to use open invitation coffees (for June in Elgin (6/10), Elk Grove Village (6/19), Wheaton (6/20) and Roselle (6/21)) to reach out to district residents, including primary opponent supporters, and gain their active support. The best campaign messengers and the strongest volunteer base, Jon believes, are people’s neighbors.

Reaching Across the District to Involve the District

While becoming fluent in Spanish during his time in Honduras, Jon Carson speaks the language “like a gringo.” Jon’s inability to speak as a native, knowing his limitations while communicating his intentions, serves as a metaphor for his approach. Jon plans to run a race featuring people’s neighbors communicating why Tammy Duckworth is their candidate - and why their neighbors should vote for her too.

Like his political campaign experience, Honduras showed Jon the value of technology and organization to help local people achieve results. In Honduras it took donated surveying equipment from Wisconsin, and coordination expertise, for this engineer to help local residents better access drinking water. In the 6th district, Jon plans to use computer databases and his organizational experience to mobilize the Duckworth ‘neighbors’ campaign and help Tammy Duckworth reach out to as many residents as possible. The battle in the 6th will not be easy for the Duckworth campaign, although they can be heartened by recent poll results. In Honduras Jon Carson delivered drinking water. Sixth Congressional Democrats are looking for a rainmaker.