Distilling Best Practices

“Small Thing to Read: Everything the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative Has Written (Not Really Kidding)…Their working papers on how Democrats can message and win in Rural America are top-notch.”

—Michele Hornish, founder of Small Deeds Done and Executive Director of Every State Blue

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Guides and Reports

Cover of a publication titled 'Talk Like a Neighbor: Non-Polarizing Communication Tips for Rural Candidates', published in July 2024, featuring an illustration of a donkey and an elephant on opposite sides of a suspension bridge.

TALK LIKE A NEIGHBOR: NON-POLARIZING COMMUNICATION TIPS FOR RURAL CANDIDATES

This document provides both field-tested messaging suggestions and broader communications “do’s and don’ts” for Democratic and liberal-leaning independent candidates trying to break through mistrust in rural communities.

Cover of a report titled 'The Back Road to 2024: 8 Ways to Depolarize Rural Electoral Campaigns,' published by the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative in July 2024, featuring a map of a winding rural road and a person voting at a ballot box.

THE BACK ROAD TO 2024: 8 WAYS TO DEPOLARIZE RURAL ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS‍ ‍

This document provides both field-tested messaging suggestions and broader communications “do’s and don’ts” for Democratic and liberal-leaning independent candidates trying to break through mistrust in rural communities.

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Executive Summary
Part One: A Review of Successful Strategies and Practices
Part Two: Supplemental Research Compendium