By Laura Haight
President, DWGC

Democrats in Greenville often criticize the Party for not putting up more candidates. There’s plenty of discussion among ourselves as to whether we should have a candidate running for every open seat or a handful of strong candidates running for a few key seats but handing victories to the majority of Republicans who then run unopposed. 

Wherever you fall on the issue, success starts with having strong, prepared candidates. 

Many programs offer training for people who know they want to run. But Democratic Women, in partnership with the SC Democratic Women’s Council and the Greenville County Democratic Black Caucus, is offering a three-hour workshop to help you answer the question: Should I run? What do I need to know to make that decision? 

The February 10 program will be at the Hughes Main Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Panels and panelists:

Preparing to run: Building a foundation in the community and a network of support. Deciding what to run for. Panelists: Amy Bowlin, outreach coordinator for SC Women in Leadership; Shelly Dezen, campaign manager for Dorothy Dowe; and Candy Fletcher, senior advisor, SC House Democratic Caucus.. 

Fundraising. The underestimated area in many local campaigns. Lawn signs, door hangers, handouts, mailers, and effective social media all cost money. Can you ask for it? Do you have a foundation of supporters you can count on? Panelists: Jill Fletcher, finance director, SC House Democratic Caucus; Lindsey Green, Michelle Shain’s campaign manager. The Shain campaign raised more than $250K in 2023.

Voter Outreach. This is marketing and messaging on steroids. Strategically identifying and using VoteBuilder, the Democratic Party’s national voter database, to target your voters. And how to use digital marketing to put your best message forward to its most strategic audience. Panelists: Leila Aziz, manager, Supply Chain Sustainability for Google, and Dorothy Dowe’s data strategist; Terrie Easley, regional advertising sales director, LOCALiQ, the digital marketing arm of the Gannett Co.

The workshop is FREE to attend, but registration is required. Coffee and breakfast snacks will be available. Registration closes Feb. 5.