08/17/2006
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Jennifer Hatten, Southeast region political director |
In the months leading up to Election Day, NFIB staffers will be in the field attending political events and meeting with members and candidates. This first update comes from Jennifer Hatten, Southeast region political director.
Since June 19, I have hit the road literally by plane, train and automobile throughout the Southeast region. I have met with NFIB state directors, elected officials, candidates and staff. It has certainly been a whirlwind of activity.
Some of the highlights thus far include a road trip to central Mississippi at the Madison County Area Action Council meeting, where I had a chance to give folks a political overview. State Sen. Walter Michel and NFIB State Director Ron Aldridge served as the featured speakers and gave a legislative update. The meeting took place at The Haute Pig, an award-winning barbecue restaurant owned by a NFIB member in Madison, Miss. A new and enthusiastic NFIB member, Ken Redding from Red-Cycling, Inc., served as the event sponsor. I look forward to working with them next year when things heat up politically in Mississippi, which is one of three states with elections next year. I also look forward to a return trip to The Haute Pig.
The Memphis Area Action Council meeting held its monthly core group meeting and invited candidates running for the state legislature in the Memphis area to stop by and say a few words. Our members in Memphis are very energized and eager to keep small-business issues at the forefront.
NFIB members Mark White and Kenny Crenshaw serve as our chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the AAC, and they certainly make a huge impact with its success.
Earlier this year, the Memphis AAC hosted a meet-and-greet reception with the Memphis area legislators, which was attended by over 200 members and friends of NFIB. Candidates and local officials have been making this a must-attend annual event. With Tennessee again at the forefront with the much talked about U.S. Senate race to replace Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, our Memphis AAC is energized and ready to hit the ground running to make a difference in that race.
I have been meeting over the telephone and in person with our state directors and grassroots coordinators as we fine-tune our political plans in the Southeast region. We have such a great team and I think it will help us make a tremendous difference this fall. The team members' unique insight at the state and federal level in their respective states is so crucial as we work together to elect pro-small business candidates. As members, you should be proud of the talented group representing you in your respective state capitols.
Politics and football are two things that will bring out the passion in people in this area of the country over the next few months. As I work with our region and our team in Washington, D.C., there is a lot of planning and coordination involved to help our NFIB-endorsed candidates at the state and federal level. I can't help but think of a quote from the late coach Bear Bryant, the legendary football coach at the University of Alabama: "It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference."
There are so many ways to get involved, whether it's putting a sign up in your business, educating your employees, writing a check to support a candidate, volunteering your time at a campaign office or putting a bumper sticker on your car. The most important thing you can do though is simply to VOTE. Go to NFIB.com/politics to learn more about what we're doing and how you can help small business win on Nov. 7
Next stops on the trail include Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. If you have any questions or need any information on state and federal races in your area, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail. I look forward to seeing you at a NFIB event or at a campaign event for a NFIB-endorsed candidate soon.
