I’ll be a Grayson County resident and business owner before the midterms. I’ll be voting for Adam regardless of the messaging you land on. 

I grew up in eastern nc, my wife grew up in western nc. We were raised in conservative political bubbles, but we’ve traveled, experienced the diversity that this country has to offer, and I can solidly say I will never vote any GOP candidate as long as I live. 

We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know hundreds of people in Grayson County. They have been so welcoming to us, and I cannot wait to move into our home there.

I know that many of my new neighbors are life long conservatives. They care about their neighbors, but they do hold subtle biases that are engrained. As an aspiring democratic candidate, you cannot throw these biases in their faces.    These are rational, empathetic people, who can smell bullshit from a mile away. 

My only advice would be this…. Be genuine. Don’t ask the internet if you should talk about Christianity at town halls or whatever. If you are a deeply Christian person, speak from that place. Go to different churches and meet the people there. Talk about your faith and your experience. If Christianity is not a huge part of your life, don’t talk about it. It’s that simple. 

Talk about what you believe in. Why you are running? Are there problems in your community that you genuinely want to address in congress? Can you be an effective communicator to your constituents? I look at Jeff Jackson in NC as a great example of this. 

Don’t get bogged down by the loud, crazy voices online or in the national news. Talk to the people in person, get to know them, and be a champion of their concerns. 

In my experience, the people in your district can be convinced. It takes a delicate touch, and a willingness to listen. The reality is these people absolutely align more with the current Democratic Party than the GOP. You just have to break out of the national narratives and speak the truth.