 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Top target wins re-election
In Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, freshman Representative Jim Gerlach
was re-elected to a second term.
CJO Campaigns’ principal, Chris Obudho, served as campaign manager and was
responsible for coordinating all aspects of the campaign including strategy,
budgeting, press relations, fundraising, volunteer operations and Get-Out-The-Vote
(GOTV) programs.
This suburban Philadelphia district was one of ten districts targeted by the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and other Democratic
Party-associated groups. Over $3 million was spent against Gerlach, not including a
heavy voter registration/outreach effort and massive independent expenditures by
groups like Moveon.org, Emily’s List, Planned Parenthood, America Coming Together
(ACT) and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).
Even with this onslaught of Democratic activity and the fact that Pennsylvania was a
battleground state in the Presidential election, Gerlach was re-elected, 51%-49%.
Gerlach worked to reform the medical liability insurance system, preserve open
space, cut taxes and create jobs during his first term in Congress and continued to
highlight these issues during his successful campaign.
A Campaign Success Story
In 1999, the Cloudcroft, New Mexico Board of Education made two attempts to pass
the General Obligation School Construction Bond to build a new high school. Both
attempts failed.
In August 2000, CJOC was retained to develop and implement a campaign strategy to
pass the bond on Election Day, December 12, 2000.
There was major opposition to this effort from residents that had no children in the
school system and felt they had no stake in improving the educational environment of
the young people of the area. A group of dedicated volunteers formed Support our
Schools, a non-profit group dedicated to passing the bond issue and building a new
school.
The current high school housed 181 students, but had been built for 147. Obviously
there was a major need for a new facility.
CJOC developed a comprehensive campaign plan that included community outreach
activities, overall strategy, media planning, and get out the vote efforts that
culminated in a strong showing at the ballot box.
On December 12, 2000 the bond was passed with an impressive 55%! It was an
exciting time for all the volunteers that worked so hard to help the students of the
Cloudcroft School system and for CJOC.
Special Election Success in New Mexico
On June 7, 2000, the Otero County, New Mexico Economic Development Council
(OCEDC) retained Chris Obudho, President of CJO Communications (name changed
to CJO Campaigns in 2004), to coordinate a local referendum campaign for passage
of a Local Options Gross Receipts Ordinance.
This measure would increase the gross receipts tax rate on goods and services
purchased in Alamogordo by 1/8th of 1% but could only be used for economic
development purposes. The members of OCEDC felt it would be a great opportunity
to begin diversifying Alamogordo’s economy and create new jobs.
The ordinance was previously on the ballot in 1999, but failed by 200+ votes.
This time, OCEDC wanted a strategic campaign and communications plan drafted
and implemented. CJO Communications (CJOC) was ready for the task.
CJOC designed a plan that would encompass a public campaign and a strong Get
Out The Vote (GOTV) effort.
There was a very vocal opposition effort that included a City Commissioner, senior
citizens, and some business owners, but CJOC, with the help of some very motivated
community volunteers helped pass the Gross Receipts Ordinance for Alamogordo
(becoming one of only 6 communities in New Mexico that has this economic
development fund).
The final tally was 54% voted for the measure and 46% voted against.
CJOC was proud to be part of a great effort with a forward-looking community that will
help towards ensuring a brighter economic future.
Success on first election test
CJOC was retained to provide general political consulting services for two New Mexico
races, both resulting in victories.
Public Regulation Commission:
The first race was the District 2 seat for the new state Public Regulation Commission.
CJOC was retained in April by the Friends of Bill Pope campaign. CJOC was
responsible for general consulting duties and organizing the Otero County campaign.
We only had approximately 60 days to turn the tide that had built over several months
by our opponent; Nelson Spear of Hobbs.
On primary day, Tuesday night, the final tally in Otero County was: Pope 53%/Spear
46%. District wide: Pope 51%/Spear 49%. The interesting thing about this race was
that there was no Democrat opponent, so Bill Pope became the first elected PRC
Commissioner in New Mexico history.
Otero County Commission:
The other race was the Otero County Commission District 2 seat. The Republican
incumbent Commissioner, (also Commission Chairman) Tim McGinn, was challenged
in the primary by a Tularosa City Trustee, Margaret Trujillo (who, by the way,
switched parties after the election) for the nomination. CJOC was responsible for
general consulting, speech writing/coaching, message development, and campaign
coordination.
The final tally was: McGinn 71%/Trujillo 29%.
CJOC was proud to be retained by these campaigns and happy to have won both on
its first electoral test.
253 Reeves Avenue * Hamilton, New Jersey 08610
(856) 495-4038
