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This tracks with what I saw phonebanking for Melissa Watson in SC-07 (mostly Horry County) the past two weeks. Melissa ran a people-focused campaign centered around local issues--infrastructure, education, small business, environment... all pertinent to SC-07.
(1/6) https://twitter.com/jslovegrove/status/1324051132621168642
(1/6) https://twitter.com/jslovegrove/status/1324051132621168642
Even folks who'd listen to me tell about Melissa & her platform, most would then ask what party she's with. I'd say Democrat & they'd tell me they were a Republican & hang up. I bet most of them can't tell you anything about their current Rep, Tom Rice, the GOP incumbent.
(2/6)
(2/6)
Many didn't even know his name. But the fact he was a Republican & stood with Trump was enough for them, even if they agreed with Melissa's platform & cared about the same issues as she does. Folks seemed to be focused on national politics, not local issues.
(3/6)
(3/6)
At the precinct I worked at on Election Day as a poll manager, Socastee #1 in Horry Co, the margin between Trump votes & Biden votes was about the same as the margin between Rice votes & Watson votes, and a lot of folks told me they voted straight party,
(4/6)
(4/6)
meaning not many voters veered away from the national narrative & voted for, say, Trump but also Melissa Watson. Notably, the margin between Graham & Harrison was closer than Trump & Biden, so some folks did vote for Trump & Harrison (but not enough to make a difference).
(5/6)
(5/6)
Bledsoe didn't end up causing much harm to Graham at Socastee #1. Third-party presidential tickets were inconsequential as well.
Back to the Congressional race, Melissa Watson ran an innovative campaign that put SC-07 & rural issues on the map. I'm proud of that.
(6/6)
Back to the Congressional race, Melissa Watson ran an innovative campaign that put SC-07 & rural issues on the map. I'm proud of that.
(6/6)
