What are voters saying at the doors? We have the inside scoop.—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 71

52 days until the election and even fewer until early voting starts. This is when voters are starting to pay attention to what candidates say and do.

Host Collin Corbett has in-depth and detailed strategic conversations on fundraising, paid voter outreach, and messaging with candidate in the tier 1 race for House District 51 Tosi Ufodike, president of Strive Strategy Group Dennis Cook, political consultant Mark Cavers, and Cor’s political experts Chris Jackowiak and Michael Butler.

It’s not often we have a candidate in a tier 1 race join us in the thick of campaign season, so Tosi gives us a unique perspective on what she’s actually hearing from voters when she goes door to door. Just like we’ve been talking about, the majority of voters are complaining about the unaffordable cost-of-living in Illinois.

We then discuss the latest in house and senate races throughout the state. We see Democrats blanketing a message on abortion, but Dennis and Mark lay out how targeting messages in key districts get more swing voters to vote Republican.

We close by having a really good conversation over strategy and tactics candidates can use when fundraising, and end this week’s episode with some quick hits on topics that can put Democrats on the defensive if used effectively.

00:00: Introductions
02:25: How Will Trump's Debate Loss Impact Illinois GOP Campaigns?
11:18: Harris Joins Illinois Democrats in Talking Like a Republican
19:54: Why Should Republicans Statewide be Paying Attention to Tosi Ufodike in HD51? 
28:51: What Are Suburban Voters Saying at Doorsteps?
34:45: HD104 Race Between Brandun Schweizer and Jarrett Clem Seemingly Under the Radar
38:22: GOP Poll in Kevin Schmidt's HD114 Highlights Oppo on Greenwood
45:56: Morgan Blaming Haas for High Cost-of-Living in HD79 Despite Dems Being the Super Majority
52:49: Democrats Up on TV Attacking Phillip Nagel on Abortion in SD40
01:10:11: Democrats Continue Theme of Being Fed Up with Politics in Latest Mailers and Ads
01:04:32: As Expected, Democrats Vastly Outspending Republicans in Illinois
01:19:49: Stellantis Investing Over $400 Million in Michigan While Belvidere Remains Shuttered
01:21:15: Democrats Pushing Chicago and Cook County Takeover of Public Transit
01:24:00: Left-Leaning Blog Accidently Admitted Outmigration is Happening
01:28:15: OG & Clown of the Week
01:34:54: Closing Thoughts