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A source close to the Ron Sparks’ gubernatorial campaign confirms what I have heard elsewhere: the Democrat’s campaign for governor is expanding and hiring.
The campaign doubled office space two weeks ago in Montgomery, is in the process of hiring a couple of new positions, and has already brought in a couple of new folks, according to the campaign source. The campaign wants to “expand field staff tremendously” and is “moving pretty quickly” to do so.
We have had “financial resources made available in recent weeks, it’s a move in a positive direction, and allows us to extend our efforts deeper across the state.” Clearly this is a move in a positive direction; even supporters of the campaign have noted to the Parlor that it has appeared cash-strapped.
The source adds that the campaign wants to bring in regional campaign offices. “This campaign will be won on the ground. It’s going to be a close race. We think it will be won in the field.”
One of the new faces to the campaign is Roy Hightower who was hired out of Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom’s office and who used to work with the Senate Democratic Caucus.
No word on the source of the funds, only advice to “look at the January financial reports.”
FWIW, here is the text of an ad the Sparks campaign is circulating indicating that it is hiring Field Directors:
Southern Democratic Gubernatorial candidate is looking for reliable and highly motivated, team orientated staffers with prior field experience, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail. It is preferable that applicants have elective campaign field experience and be able to manage a group of Regional Field Directors and staff. Field Directors will work directly with the Campaign Manager to execute the district wide field plan.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Organize and implement comprehensive and aggressive political grassroots field program, consisting of targeted voter contact through direct mail, external media, phone banks, canvassing, volunteer outreach, and new media strategies
• Implementation of the campaign’s field plan
• Build and cultivate relationships with key local organizations and constituent groups
• Recruitment and retention of volunteers
• Work with county party leadership to establish a grassroots network of volunteers and volunteer leaders
• Organize and facilitate recruitment and training sessions for volunteers
• Develop specific field plans for targeted areas
• Provide regular written and verbal reports
• Manage regional field offices and staff
• Plan, coordinate, and staff statewide field events for candidate
Skills required:
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Good computer skills
• Good judgment in interacting and communicating with the public, as well as political and community leaders
• Ability to be accountable and to hold others accountable
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully in diverse communities
• Willingness to learn new skills and keep current on the news and issues
• Knowledge and/or experience working with community-based organizations and coalitions, and willingness to conduct outreach to community groups and leaders
Salary commensurate with experience
How to Apply / Contact
To apply, email a cover letter and your resume to the campaign at: FinanceDirGov@gmail.com
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Guess the check from AEA cleared
Makes sense. The guy has won two statewide elections. What did people think would happen? He’s been AEA’s guy from the beginning.
Going to be interesting when the January Campaign Report is filed. My guess is that AEA and/or ALFA is buying Ronnie! AEA has not been able to pursuade a reputable candidate to enter the race, and may have had to settle for the only “other” candidate. Ronnie has been owned for several year by ALFA, so they may have put some more money in his pockets. It sure didn’t come from those $25 contributions he’s been begging for at the end of his weekly emails.
AEA and gambling interests. sort of like how they are funding state sen. harri anne smith.
Good to know Ron Sparks is bought and paid for. When do those reports come out again?
Two thoughts:
1. Does money cure a poor campaign or just give it the resources to be even more inept?
2. Does the hiring of a Folsom staffer mean that the Lieutenant Governor might endorse Sparks? And what would that do to the party?
Or did he just endorse by sending Hightower over?
I think it’s ALFA and big gambling. AEA is looking to the legislature.
If I am not mistaken, Mr. Hightower is a 25 year old who interned for the Dem caucus and has worked a desk job for Folsom. I could have him mixed up with another guy but I don’t think so.
therein lies Sparks’ problem..the staffers he is hiring are minor leaguers who hang around ADC or the state party. A guy I worked with on the Hill told me that the DNC and DGA have explicitly told a few big leaguers who were courted by Sparks to stay out of the race.
what are people hearing about money for Davis, Byrne and James?
Why would you announce something like this?
Bigger question: how much will they regret hiring people when they can’t get on TV?
i suspect byrne will lead the way in fund raising but the question is…will james put another 2 million of his own in the campaign…..
Could be fun tracing the PAC to PAC transfers and in kind donations behind the disclosure reports. any one else game?
be nice if someone had thought of that a few years ago eh walt?? ah well, maybe they’re taking a look back at it now…
That’s the problem with PAC t o PAC transfers, you can’t prove to a certainty that the say my 5 bucks to PAC A went to PAC B, then PAC C now has $3.75, all you can show is A had $5 of my money and sent B has $4 and so. Was it my $5 or was it yours? Reform of this process does not seem likely.
As to your hidden point, King is now investigating and will no doubt make a finding just in time for the primaries or maybe the general election (c.f, Redding pitt/Jim Folsom). Will it end the matter? of course not.
Doesn’t matter if they are or not CC, unless you have hidden video of an indian in warpaint writing “R-I-L-E-Y” on a bank deposit slip, then no money from gambling went to the campaign. There is just no way to prove that with the laws the way they are, so go back to country crossing and have another drink.
Not to mention Riley isn’t on the ballot next year, so focus on getting your people get elected.
for your reading enjoyment..(helps if your from houston county)
http://notconcerned.blogspot.com/
anon…you ever think the indians might be holding the proof ??? ahhhhhh ya didn’t did ya….
CC – you should be concerned about troy king and harri smtih losing their elections. your buddy bob riley is, as has been previously stated, no where to be found on the ballot in 2010 my friend. give it up.
strike two…
http://blog.al.com/live/2009/12/gop_candidate_believes_gov_bob.html
That’s right. Paleface Byrne is on ballot instead. Wait till secret wampum in his pocket is discovered and counted…
Walt,
It definitely could be fun, but ultimately futile. I’m in! LOL
As far as the money is concerned, expect Byrne to lead in terms of fundraising, with James right there using his own money (though he may not need to self-fund as much this time). Expect Moore to surprise some folks (again, happened in ‘06) with his dollar figure.
Davis will have a huge lead on Sparks in fundraising…even with this most recent talk, but he’s going to need it.
Good, Wonder if a 3D representation of the transfers would be so non-Euclidean that even Cthulhu would wring his tentacles.
[...] all seriousness, this email was the follow-up I expected when Sparks’ campaign put out the word that they had come into money. More than one person has suggested that release of information was designed to give the [...]