Who has the most powerful influence on a politician? Is it the lobbyist? Is it the special interest group? Is it another more powerful politician? It is none of those. The most powerful influence on a politician is an informed constituent. Even better is an informed small business owner constituent. I want to help teach you how to harness your power to influence elected officials.
As the CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA), one of my duties is to advocate for our members across the state in the halls of government. If you were a member of ASBA, you would have received weekly reports on the business-related bills (more than 2,000 drafted this year at the state level) and updates on the good and bad bills that would impact your business.
Most constituents don’t believe they have power to influence their elected officials. Lawmakers crave interaction with constituents who are engaged, curious, respectful and solution-focused. The reason they crave that interaction is they are trying to solve community problems and they need input and support to get that done. Additionally, most lawmakers are not business owners and need to hear from you on how a proposal could impact the business in practical, real-world terms.
It is critical that business owners understand the power they have by voting and building civic relationships with their elected officials. A relationship between a constituent and an elected official is similar to all relationships. It must be built on an understanding of mutual respect, have an allowance for grace and a focus on shared goals. Once this relationship is established, your ability to influence your elected official has become very powerful.
The goal is that you would eventually have a civic relationship with every level of government that could possibly impact you and your business so you can be a resource to your community, customers and employees when they are impacted by government.
The first step in engagement is to simply reach out to the elected official at the most local level you can get. Go to coffee with them and find out why they ran, what their priorities are and, if it’s someone you align with, ask them what you can do to help them. Then, after they have shared their perspective, it is vital that you also take the time to explain what is important to you. Just because you don’t line up politically doesn’t mean you can’t have a civic relationship. Don’t hold back on your opinions but also maintain a professional tone and demeanor. Keep the meeting short — ideally no more than 45 minutes to an hour — and at the end ask for their personal cell. So often, emails get overlooked due to sheer volume, but if you can get a cell phone of your elected official then you can have much better results advocating for your community, customers and employees. However, keep in mind those numbers are private and if they are given to you it’s vital that you do not abuse it.
After the initial conversation, sign up for their newsletter. This is where you can stay informed on what they are up to and how you can best support them. Attend their events as you are able. Many times, these events are very small and it becomes easy to talk again with your elected official and check in on what you have talked about previously with them.
During election time your elected officials will need all the help they can get.. But more important than monetary donations are donations of your time. When I said earlier that events tend to be small with local electeds, I meant it — and when they need volunteers to door knock, the group gets even smaller. Many people get intimidated by knocking on a stranger’s door to talk politics, I understand! You can also be paired up with a more experienced volunteer or, better yet, with the candidate themselves. Once you hit a few doors it becomes easy and fun.
Every politician remembers who comes out to door knock for them. Knocking doors together or dropping off literature when it’s over 100 degrees has a way of bonding people! Creating a civic relationship with your elected officials will empower you to solve issues in your community immediately. You will have harnessed a power that very few citizens develop. Don’t be the voter who yells at the TV; be the voter who picks up the phone and gets stuff done!
Steve Kaiser is CEO of ASBA.
