1. Arthur Lieber; Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District
Running for Congress
Arthur Lieber; Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District

2. Let’s begin with you …
If you were running for a political office, list three things that you think would be good qualifications that you would bring to the table:

3. What I thought that I brought to the table (all debatable)
Empathy
Focus on being solution-oriented
Curiosity; wanting to learn more

4. Map of MO-02
Collegiate

5. If you’re running for office, there are a couple of important things to know from the beginning:
What are the physical attributes of your district?
Area
Terrain
Density of Population
The demographics of the population
Age, education, income, ethnicity, etc.

6. Terrain One major river – MISSOURI RIVER
Not navigable for commercial traffic
Prone to flooding
One major lake – Creve Coeur Lake

7. Some demographics Gender: Ethnicity:
51.5% female
48.5% male
(like most of America)
Ethnicity:
89.9% Caucasian
4.0% Asian
3.8% African-American
Educational level of voters – well above U.S. average
Income level of voters – well above U.S. average

8. The district’s economy – Largest Businesses

9. Positions on key issues: AHL:
Jobs – creating them and maintaining them
Education – More power to teachers and students; less to edu-crats
Federal funding for all schools
Social issues – pro-choice; pro LGBTQ rights
Foreign Affairs – lead by example; diminish U.S. military presence

10. Money & Politics Why does a candidate need it? How to raise the money?
How much does it cost to run a campaign for Congress?
What is the money spent on?
Printed literature
Web Site
Advertising
Radio
Television
Internet
How to raise the money?
Small donations
Large contributors
PACs and SuperPACS

11. Trying to connect; win voters
Going door-to-door (limited in a district of 750,000, but most voters prefer to speak with the actual candidate)
Meetings hosted by Democratic Party
Festivals, parades, etc.
Active web site

12. Lieber for Congress Web Site

13. Press Coverage How do you get the media interested in your campaign?
Being different should help
Running a “clean campaign” should help
Being willing to talk about issues and not generalities should help
Sharp contrast of a conservative incumbent and progressive challenger should help

14. What actually happened?
In 2010, Bill McClellan interview in Post-Dispatch
In 2010 and 2014, one hour on “St. Louis on the Air” in St. Louis Public Radio
In 2010, “dueling articles” in “The Beacon” with Todd Aiken
In 2014, endorsement by Post-Dispatch

15. The politics of the region

16. Missouri for Governor by County - 2016

17. What it all means? We need to deal with money in politics
We need to elevate the conversation
Media has to get more engaged

18. Questions