by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
Former Duval County Republican Chair Mike Hightower previewed the work ahead for the 2012 elections to the new Conservative Republican Forum of Jacksonville Thursday.
”The clock is running,” he said. “2012 is going to be here before we know it.”
Hightower distributed information, including Florida Chamber of Commerce and other state information outlining what’s at stake in 2012.
Chamber information showed the state’s 2012 ballot including the U.S. presidency as Democrat Barack Obama seeks re-election, the seat held by Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, 27 congressional seats, 40 state Senate seats, 120 House seats, at least seven Florida Constitutional amendments and other local candidates and issues.
Reapportionment added two U.S. House seats to the state’s 25. The state also is holding public hearings on redistricting of state legislative seats. Hearings are planned July 11 at the Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown campus and July 12 at Flagler College in St. Augustine.
Hightower urged the 70 people attending and all Republican supporters in the seven counties of Northeast Florida, to attend the hearings in their areas and also to show leadership.
”All of you are leaders in this room,” he said.
”We lead by example,” he said, specifying integrity, enthusiasm and tenacity.
The Conservative Republican Forum of Jacksonville had its first meeting May 5 and the second on Thursday. The next is Sept. 1 and it will then meet monthly.
Nancy Peek McGowan is the president. First vice president is Sara Graves, second vice president is Millie McLean and secretary is Debbie Mar. The four at-large leaders and advisers are Flo Hyman, Stacie Rosenblum, Alice Coughlin and Cynthia Thomas.
McGowan said the forum is open to women and men. Founding sponsors are Jay Demetree of Demetree Brothers Inc., Mac McGehee of Mac Papers Inc., Duval County Republican Party Chair and state party vice chair Lenny Curry and Hightower.
”We plan to bring the issues to the people from Jacksonville because Jacksonville can make a difference,” said McGowan. “We want to reach as many people as we can.”
Mayoral candidate Mike Hogan and his wife, Judy, attended the meeting and spoke to the group. Hogan, a Republican, lost to Democrat Alvin Brown by 1,662 votes.
”We took a bump here,” Hightower told the group. “Dust yourself off. Get back in there.”
Hightower rallied the group with slogans and insights. “The business of politics is business,” he said.
“Politics is a contact sport,” he said. “Close is only good with horseshoes and grenades.”
He outlined four points about campaign leadership.
• It’s all/always about the voter. “You would be surprised at the number of people who don’t get the first point,” he said.
• It is the responsibility of the candidate/campaign to connect with the voter, not the other way around. “The candidate is one person,” he said. “If you are involved in a campaign, you become the surrogate of that campaign or candidate. It is about connecting. It is absolutely critical in a campaign.”
• People will forget what you say and what you did but will never forget how you made them feel. “You would be surprised how many people forget this,” said Hightower. “Never underestimate the grassroots. Never underestimate the voter.”
• Leadership is about results, not popularity. “Leadership is not about popularity. It is about getting results,” said Hightower.
Hightower also distributed voter statistics. In Duval County, Democrats outnumber Republicans as registered voters.
As of this morning, Duval County had 229,789 registered Democrats, 193,800 registered Republicans and 99,086 voters registered as others, totaling 522,675 registered voters.
“There are more registered Democrats than there are Republicans,” said Hightower. Further, “the fastest-growing party in the United States is ‘others.’”
Hightower issued a call to action.
“You’ve got to find the message,” he said, “to bring them in.”
He also provided seven 2012 campaign objectives:
• Say thank you.
• Work hard.
• No silly mistakes.
• Stay focused.
• Stay on message.
• Time is an ally. Use it wisely.
• Say thank you. “People never get tired of hearing it,” he said.
“We’re gonna win in 2012,” he said.
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