While confusion abounds in the California gubernatorial race, Indivisible East Bay’s Canvass Crew couldn’t be more clear about their support for congressional candidate for California’s 22nd district, Randy Villegas. “He’s an educator, a small business owner, and his positions are right in line with what I believe in,” says Laurel teVelde. Laurel is one of three Co-Captains of IEB’s Canvass Crew, and in early April she organized a team of eight IEB members to canvass for Villegas in Fresno. Their next “field trip” is scheduled for May 30-31, and you’re invited!
If you’re daunted by the idea of knocking on strangers’ doors and starting up a conversation, you’re not off the hook. “I’m an introvert,” says Laurel. “The first time I tried canvassing 5-6 years ago, I really couldn’t believe I was doing it. The person I was with did almost all the speaking—I don’t even think I spoke at all until the last few houses. But I did it because I knew it was so important, and after that time I was hooked and since then I’ve canvassed a lot!”
Laurel says that her favorite part about canvassing is talking to people about what she’s passionate about, finding common ground, and listening. “I feel that one of the most important things we can do to help make the world a better place is to talk to people and to really listen to folks—let them know that what they think matters and it’s valuable. I think that’s just so key—especially right now—listening to people. It’s so important.” Laurel’s listening skills and the Canvass Crew’s dedication have offered a welcome lift to Villegas’ campaign; the last canvass the Crew attended would have been a pretty small team without the addition of eight IEB members. “We had a number of people who hadn’t canvassed in quite some time, they were feeling like they had to get their sea legs back. The campaign went ahead and paired people—some would stick together so they felt more supported, and some would split up and take different sides of the street,” says Laurel. “We wanted to make sure people felt really comfortable and confident.”
And how did the weekend of canvassing go? “Oh it was SO great.” Volunteers were well prepared — through online trainings, scripts, materials, and a thorough in-person training that Villegas’ team provided. It helps that their candidate has a backstory and campaign that’s easy to get behind. In a race against both Democrat and Republic candidates who are beholden to corporate influence, Randy Villegas stands out as an authentic community leader—raised in Bakersfield to immigrant parents—who’s fighting cuts to Medicaid and other benefits he knows working families in the valley need.
The next step is up to you…
The IEB Canvass Crew will return to Fresno to canvass for Villegas the weekend of May 30-31, and the mission is clear: Make sure residents know the candidate’s name, have their ballots, and have a voting plan in place. In other words, it’ll be time to officially “get out the vote.” The Canvass Crew is looking for more people to join them, and if you’ve read this far you know that being shy or not having prior canvassing experience doesn’t disqualify you—if anything, it means this is the perfect crew and the perfect opportunity to help you dip your toes in. “I’ll canvass with you!” says Laurel, when asked what her message is to tentative first-timers. “This is a really great group of people to hang out with—we go out to dinner together, we have fun with it.”
The doors that canvassers are knocking on are vetted, “friendly” doors. They are the doors of people who are either Democrats or Independents but are likely to vote more liberally. You needn’t be worried that you’re going to go up to someone who’s going to give you a hard time. Oftentimes residents aren’t aware of the congressional candidates and are just appreciative for the information. It’s such a good feeling to be able to tell them, “Did you know that there’s a son of the valley who’s really representing you, who’s well endorsed, who’s running for congress in your district?”
Join the IEB Canvass Crew in Fresno May 30-31!
If you’d like to canvass for Randy Villegas but are not able to attend May 30-31, get in touch with Laurel and she’ll help match you up with another canvassing team and coordinate carpooling.
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About the candidate: The Cook Report has called CD #22 one of the most critical toss-up midterm races, and Indivisible East Bay is ALL in for Randy Villegas, progressive Democrat, small business owner and educator. We need YOU to help make sure voters in the Central Valley know who he is!
Learn more about Randy Villegas’ campaign.
