Why Shelia Will Win the July 13th Runoff

Runoff elections are about inspiring your base to turn back out. Shelia easily has the most grassroots  support and loyal voters.  Our Polling data from April, conducted by Collingwood Research, shows that Shelia Smoot supporters are firm supporters and more enthusiastic than our opponents supporters. Voters have a history of electing Shelia Smoot.

Shelia had the highest number of votes in four counties and showed the ability to get votes throughout the District.  We had the highest vote total in Jefferson County where we showed tremendous strength  by winning more boxes than the other candidates combined. We also won Pickens and Sumter Counties by significant margins and will increase that lead in these counties on July 13.  Clarke County , the other county we received the most number of votes, is the most Southern county in the district. We received more votes that our July 13th opponent  in 7 of the 12 counties in the 7th Congressional District .

Shelia has a history of political resiliency.  As a political newcomer, she ran for Jefferson County Commission in 2002.  In the Democratic Primary that year, she came in second behind the incumbent - Steve Small. Though the opponent got slightly more votes in the primary, Shelia defeated him in the Primary runoff  by 16% ( Smoot 58% to Small 42%)  Shelia was heavily outraised and outspent in 2002 and she still easily defeated her opponent.