Campaigns

Messaging that moves people.

Indie Politics has helped more than 130 clients communicate with the public.

More than mobilization, we also know how to persuade. Whether you’re a political candidate, organizing for a ballot measure, a government leader or a business, we can help you connect with and persuade an increasingly hard to reach public to support your campaign or cause. 

Electing The First Latina Sheriff in California History

Christina Corpus was running to become the first Latina Sheriff in California’s history, in San Mateo County, in the heart of Silicon Valley. More so, she wanted to clean up the Sheriff’s Office. To win, she had to unseat a powerful incumbent with a massive war chest of campaign funds who would fight like hell to keep his job. He was also her boss.

She came to us after other consulting firms told her and her allies she didn’t have a chance. We saw her potential immediately and we laid out a plan to win which took the next year to execute. Captain Corpus worked incredibly hard, she rallied her community and, in June 2022, she won her race.

Proving the skeptics wrong is gratifying, but electing great public servants like Christina is why we do this work.

Historic Challenges

For the first time in 36 years, a challenger defeated an incumbent Sonoma County Supervisor. Our candidate, Chris Coursey, was Mayor of Santa Rosa during the devastating fires of 2017 that burned more than 5,000 homes. Over decades, and more recently under the toughest conditions, he had earned the trust of his community…

 Recent Victories

More Success Stories

Photo by: Sherry LaVars / Marin Independent Journal

Yes on P for Oversight in Policing

With a resounding two-thirds of voter support in a 90%+ turnout election, Sonoma County passed Measure P for oversight in policing. This was the culmination of nearly ten years of work for a more transparent and accountable Sheriff’s Office in Sonoma County. We’re proud to have worked with a broad coalition of activists, community leaders, new volunteers and elected officials to create stronger oversight of our Sheriff’s Office, and provide a model for law enforcement accountability across the country.

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Natalie Rogers Makes History

We’re proud to have helped elect Natalie Rogers to Santa Rosa City Council. Natalie approached the local issues of affordable housing, homelessness, COVID economic response, and police reform and accountability in a thoughtful and empathetic way. As a woman of color and a licensed marriage and family therapist, she connected with diverse constituencies in her community. Her win made her Santa Rosa’s first Black female Council Member, and we’re proud to have contributed to this historic moment for her city.

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Jack Ding’s Dedication to Service

As an immigrant, community leader and tax advisor to local small businesses, Jack Ding’s decision to run for Sonoma City Council was motivated by his dedication to service and a great appreciation for his adopted hometown. He navigated the complexities of campaigning during COVID to become the first Asian American and first Chinese-born resident to serve on Sonoma City Council. We're proud to be part of Jack's historic win.

Carla Rodriguez Elected District Attorney

Sonoma County Chief Deputy DA Carla Rodriguez first contacted us about her campaign for the top job in a time of chaos: her boss was battling a recall, her strongest competitor was dragged into a scandal not of her making, and COVID was still keeping everyone at home. We organized a stealth campaign, quietly building up her endorsements, supporters and fundraising so that when she launched publicly, we could effectively scare off any potential challengers. Our strategy worked: Carla had gathered so much strength that no one challenged her and she finished her race unopposed.

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Brian Barnacle Leads on Climate

We're proud of our client, Brian Barnacle, for being the top vote-getter for one of three seats on the Petaluma City Council. As a clean energy consultant focused on climate action and responsible development, Brian ran a robust, policy-focused campaign against seven other candidates including three incumbent City Council Members. His ability to rapidly grow his online supporter base during COVID paid off. With his election, he joins a new, progressive majority on Petaluma City Council.

Photo by: Sherry LaVars / Marin Independent Journal

Janelle Kellman Outruns the Competition

We’re proud to have helped Janelle Kellman finish with the most votes in recent history for a seat on Sausalito City Council. From the moment we met her, we knew Janelle was a go-getter. Highlighting her background as an athlete, entrepreneur and environmental lawyer with degrees from Yale, Oxford and Stanford, we put Janelle on a rigorous online schedule with voters. She was determined to run on a platform that was innovative, collaborative and unconventional to create a mandate to govern for Sausalito’s future, and it worked.

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Measure M Funds Parks Countywide

Receiving nearly 73% of the total vote, Sonoma County’s Measure M secured a victory for better funded parks, protected wildlife habitats and expanded recreational opportunities for residents. Congratulations to our clients, Friends of Sonoma County Regional Parks, and the entire amazing team of staff and dedicated volunteers on passing this vital measure. Throughout its ten year lifecycle, it’s expected to bring in $120+ million for regional and city parks throughout the County.

Electing “Mayor for All” Kevin McDonnell

We are proud to have helped Kevin McDonnell for Petaluma Mayor win his race for Mayor of Petaluma by a more than 2-1 margin over his closest competitor. With two experienced City Council Members running in a field of four candidates, we developed messaging on his website, social media and mail to articulate Kevin’s vision for an inclusive and sustainable future for the city. We worked with Kevin’s team to position him as a “Mayor for All” of Petaluma’s diverse constituencies.

Judge Sheila Lichtblau Elected out of Nine Candidates 

Elections for open judicial seats are rare and they usually attract a lot of candidates. A field of nine candidates is rarer still, and we knew we would have to run in a June primary and November runoff. Navigating a wide field of qualified attorneys and a tough runoff opponent helped our client, Sheila Lichtblau, become only the third female judge elected in Marin County history, and the first of Latinx / Indian descent.

 

“Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin claimed a decisive victory Tuesday night”

— The Press Democrat