Creative, Persuasive and Disciplined

Wow, MVP

03/14/11 09:46 AM

It was such an honor to receive an award on Friday as “Most Valuable Player in a Democratic Campaign” from the American Association of Political Consultants for my work to reelect Senator Barbara Boxer in 2010.

There were so many great Democratic operatives working – and winning – in 2010, an extremely tough year for Democrats, and that makes the award even more meaningful.

Attending the AAPC conference reminded me how interesting it is working for a candidate like Barbara Boxer because she’s always underestimated.

Some pundits just can’t believe that a feisty woman who is a progressive champion, with challenging public approval ratings, can get elected and reelected in California. Even with our increasingly diverse elected bodies, Barbara Boxer just doesn’t fit what most people expect when they hear “Senator.”

The reality is that Barbara Boxer is smart, strategic and as focused on winning as anyone I’ve ever worked for. And every Boxer campaign has attracted a terrific team of staff and consultants who have made the difference between victory and defeat. Hundreds of community leaders, thousands of volunteers and more than 100,000 donors contributed to our success.

At the beginning of the 2010 election cycle, the Boxer reelection was considered a tossup by The Cook Political Report and others. In the end, we won 21 counties with more than a million vote margin over Carly Fiorina.

Campaigns do matter.