A Working People’s Narrative: Building a Winning Coalition Across Race and Place
Session Type(s): Panel, Streamed Session
Starts: Thursday, Jul. 13 10:30 AM (Central)
Ends: Thursday, Jul. 13 11:30 AM (Central)
Room: Continental B
Between 2012 and 2020, support for Democrats dropped by approximately 20 points with non-college voters across race and geography. This group makes up 63% of voters nationwide and a whopping 70% in rural areas. Trump won in 2016 by accelerating this trend and was only narrowly defeated in 2020. In order to more consistently win governing majorities at the state and federal levels, we must invest in connecting deeply with working people across race and place. This session will explore voter trends, delve deeper into the economic mindsets of working people across the country, share examples of proven-effective messaging strategies (particularly around the economy and culture wars) and share impactful approaches to engaging these voters.
Moderator
Melissa Morales
Melissa Morales is the Founder and President of Somos Votantes (C4) & Somos PAC (527) and the Director of the Winning Jobs Narrative Project. In 2022, Somos ran a $23 million dollar Latino-focused electoral program focused in battleground states for the 2022 midterm elections, including the key states of Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan. In 2020, via Somos Votantes (C4) and Somos PAC (527), Melissa ran a $33 million program across 9 battleground states for the Presidential and key U.S. Senate races. In addition, Melissa served as the 2020 Planning Consultant for the Statewide Arizona Wins program as well as the Florida State Director for Win Justice – a coalition of seven organizations, including SEIU, Community Change Action, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Color of Change PAC, and multiple grassroots state organizations. Melissa’s previous roles include Research Director for Equis Research, Executive Director of SEIU Florida, 2018 Win Justice Florida State Director, and she also previously managed IE Programs for the 2016 Presidential Campaign in battleground states with SEIU. Through her work, Melissa has supported progressive candidates across the country, helped pass minimum wage ballot initiatives and helped restore voting rights to disenfranchised voters. Melissa is happiest when she’s surrounded by family – who anchors her and is the reason she does this work.
Other sessions: Winning Jobs Narrative: Using Values Based Economic Messaging to Win
Panelists
Kristin Wheeler
Kristin Wheeler (she/her/hers) brings over a dozen years of experience in the nonprofit and government sector to her role as Chief Strategy Officer. Kristin combines her campaigning, research, and communication skills to support the development and implementation of Galvanize USA and Galvanize Action’s long-term strategy to ensure we advance progress for all. Whether leading corporate negotiations to halt Tar Sands expansion, drafting strategic plans, or leading non-violent direct actions to advance LGBTQIA rights, Kristin believes we all do better when we all do better and she’s committed to leveraging her skills and privilege to make this true. Previously Kristin has held roles with the National Park Service and Greenpeace USA, and has clocked over ten thousand hours of facilitation and public speaking. Kristin resides in the rural woods of Washington state with her wife, two cats, and dog.
Terrance Woodbury
Terrance Woodbury is a founding partner and chief executive officer of HIT Strategies.
Terrance’s research focuses on people of color and millennials who have become the driving force of rapidly evolving consumer and electoral trends in both the United States and abroad. Prior to starting HIT Strat, Terrance was the Research Director at the public opinion research firm Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies where he conducted polling and focus groups for candidates in local, state, national, and international elections and for companies like Uber and Google. Before Brilliant Corners, Terrance worked at the Brookings Institution, where he researched and studied economic and demographic trends shaping the fast-growing urban communities.
Before deciding to become a data scientist, political work consumed Terrance professional life. He worked numerous campaigns at the local, state, national, and international level, holding every position on a campaign except the candidate. Terrance has been featured in a variety of publications and media outlets including CNN, The Hill, and Bloomberg News for his expertise on the attitudes of young, diverse voters and the best messages to mobilize them.
Other sessions: First They Came for CRT ... Why Saving Democracy Means Defending Racial Justice, Covering Crime and Safety in 2024: The New Narrative, Combating Political Cynicism in Black Communities