15 Conversations: No Kings and what I learned in Conway

I’m on a tour of 15 communities in 16 days, and as part of my travels, I’m documenting what I’ve learned in those communities for my blog. Here’s what I learned in Conway and North Conway this week!

Taking notes during the Conway Democratic Committee Meeting.

So much of life is about finding your people. The people we surround ourselves with shape our perspectives and priorities.

Have you ever noticed a candidate breeze into an event, give a few remarks, shake some hands, and then get whisked away by one of their staffers?

Do you know what they are in such a hurry to do? Usually, it’s to call big donors.

They’ve done the math. For them, those $7,000 checks are worth way more than a conversation with you.

I don’t work that way. When I show up somewhere, I stay. I ask questions. I listen.

Why? Because when I need to make my first difficult vote in D.C., I need your voice in my head, not the donors some consultant told me I had to leave your meeting early to call.

That’s why when I go to meetings, I stay. I stayed for the Conway Democratic Committee meeting led by Kim Fudge. It’s also why, when I went to the No Kings Rally in Conway on Saturday, I didn’t pop in for a photo op and then rush off to another event. I stayed for the march, for the speeches, for the singing, and for the fellowship and community.

Marching in the Conway No Kings Parade with Volunteer Leader and former Conway Dems Chair, Ellin Leonard.

After the protest, a contingent of us headed over to Cheese Louise in North Conway to eat some delicious “toasted cheese sandwiches” as Tom Randell calls them.

At the gathering, I had the chance to meet with Democrats from Tamworth, Madison, Moultonborough, and Conway. I met future candidates for State Rep. (go, Bryan!), and young activists and community organizers who are helping educate voters on the warrant articles coming up for a vote at Conway’s town meeting in April (thanks, Ariana!).

Speaking with local Democratic activists after the No Kings protest in Conway.

This is how we organize. It’s how grassroots campaigns are won. And it’s the only kind of campaigning that will guarantee we get a voice for working people in Washington.