Distilling Best Practices
Report: Can Democrats Succeed in Rural America?
As Covered By:
RUBI interviewed dozens of moderate and progressive candidates for US House and Senate, gubernatorial, and state senate seats who outperformed expectations in Republican-leaning rural districts. We compiled our findings into a set of best practices for future candidates, campaign managers, and party officials. Our recommendations span candidate recruitment, policy, messaging, voter identification, persuasion and mobilization, and grassroots campaign support.
What People Are Saying
“For anyone serious about understanding rural voters, this fantastic new report from Rural Urban Bridge Initiative combines thorough research with practical, usable tools and strategies. Building from the tested rural experience of 50 campaigns across 25 states, it’s a must-read resource for all of us who want to include rural America in the fight for progress on the issues we care about.”
— Sarah Jaynes, Rural Democracy
“It’s all too common to lament Democrats’ challenges in Rural America but what Rural Urban Bridge has done instead is bring together the best of what we know about how to make change. Their wise, practical guide is an immeasurable value for leaders across our states who can use the report for years to come. Want to know how to make a difference politically in a rural area? Start here. The sheer amount of wise advice in this report gives you more than information: it gives you hope via a positive roadmap to organize for a better future.”
— Paul Kendrick, ED of Rust Belt Rising