Cutting-edge Evidence-based Best Practices
Do GOTV text messages work? Can Internet banner ads persuade? Is it true that simple questions can double the impact of a GOTV call? Through randomized controlled experiments, we have answers. This panel will introduce attendees to the cutting-edge world of data-driven politics and evidence-based best practices. Hundreds of randomized controlled experiments were conducted during the 2008 election cycle by leading progressive organizations to determine what works and what doesn’t in voter contact. Learn the basics of how a randomized controlled experiment works and be a part of building the progressive toolkit.
Mr. Podhorzer is Deputy Political Director of the AFL-CIO. He oversees the Federation’s campaign targeting and strategic planning as well as the execution of membership contact programs across the country. He has been with the Federation since 1997. Mr. Podhorzer is also a leader in the field of data driven politics. He is founding Chair of the Analyst Institute, and on the Catalist Board.
Denise Cardinal is the Executive Director of ProgressNow, a federation of state-based, hard-hitting organizations that use new and legacy media tactics to promote progressive policies and attack the right-wing. ProgressNow is in 16 states and expanding, while building on new collaboration efforts with other progressive groups on all levels.
Denise also runs the ProgressNow affiliate – Alliance for a Better Minnesota -- where she lives. Before moving back to her home state in 2006 to be communications director for America Votes Minnesota and then start this new project, Denise served for 5 years as Senior Press Officer for the National Education Association in Washington, D.C.
She also spent time in our nation’s capitol as the Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND). She’s worked at newspapers in Nevada, Idaho, Iowa and earned a degree in Journalism from Drake University in 1995. She’s the first in her family to attend and graduate from college, and lives in Saint Paul.
Regina Schwartz is the Director of Outreach and Training at the Analyst Institute. She has been with the Analyst institute for three years and in her current capacity she has conducted hundreds of trainings across the United States on scientifically proven methods for increasing voter turnout and creating more effective political communications strategies. Regina is passionate about sharing best practices to encourage and facilitate civic engagement. Prior to joining the Analyst Institute Regina worked in the Washington Office of Kirsten Gillibrand. She has also worked as a field coordinator and has had experience with a number of progressive organizations and campaigns. Regina graduated from Harvard University with a BA in Social Studies.
Mary McClelland is currently the Director of Interactive Media for Rock the Vote. In the 2008 election cycle she ran Rock the Vote's field operations that culminated in 2.6 million voter registration applications and historic turnout of the youth vote. Previous to her tenure at Rock the Vote she was the national field coordinator for Young Voter Strategies, an organization that conducted best practice research on young voters as well as funded new and innovative models for youth voter registration and engagement.
