Category: Client Wins

After two hard-fought primary contests, CTC clients Mayor Heidi Campbell and Nikki Merritt are now the Democratic nominees in two of the most flippable State Senate districts in the south.

Heidi entered the race in February at a significant disadvantage to her opponent, who had been campaigning for over a year. Her campaign was run almost exclusively during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Convergence was a key partner in shifting our strategy to meet the moment at hand. From advising COVID-specific methods of voter engagement early on in the pandemic to adjusting our targeting to meet increases in voter turnout and the shifting methods of voting, we built a campaign that met the voters where they were at a challenging time in our history.

Nikki Merritt’s campaign had to pivot hard once COVID-19 became a reality in our race. Nikki had a robust field program already working in preparation for the primary election, and we had to adjust our plans for voter contact to take door-to-door contact off the table. Nikki’s team stayed nimble and was able to outwork her opponents, coming just shy of winning her three-way primary outright on June 19 and trouncing her runoff opponent, winning close to 66% of the vote.

We’re looking forward to continuing to work with these incredible candidates and their talented teams to flip these seats in November!

Convergence is proud to celebrate the following recent client wins:

California

• Joanne Ahola: Sacramento County School Board (IE)
• Janevette Cole: Alameda County School Board (IE)
• Steve Glazer: State Senate (IE) Top Vote Getter
• Sara Jacobs: Congress (IE) Top Vote Getter

Georgia

• Nikki Merritt: State Senate Top Vote Getter, Runoff August 11

CTC also worked with the UFCW Local 1996, Georgia AFL-CIO, and the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council to communicate to members in support of:

• Joe Biden, President
• Nikema Williams: State Senate
• Nikki Merritt: State Senate
• Michelle Au: State Senate
• Dar’shun Kendrick: State House
• Bee Nguyen: State House
• Renitta Shannon: State House
• Marvin Lim: State House
• Charles Ravenscraft: State House
• Shermela Williams: Superior Court Judge, District 5
• Kenya Johnson: Probate Court Judge
• Ted Jackson: Fulton County Sheriff Top Vote Getter, Runoff August 11

Maryland

• Mark Conway: Baltimore City Council

New York

• Mondaire Jones: Congress (IE)

South Carolina

• Kylon Middleton: Charleston County Council

Texas

• Eddie Bernice Johnson: Congress
• Lorraine Birabil: State House Special Election Victory, Primary Victory
• Jeff Whitfield: State House

Virginia

• David Meyer: Fairfax City Mayor
• So Lim: Fairfax City Council

While all the votes have yet to be counted, Mondaire Jones is poised to win his primary in NY-17, replacing retiring Rep. Nita Lowey. Convergence partnered with Fight for the American Dream PAC to boost Mondaire’s bold progressive credentials, including his exclusive support of Medicare for All in a crowded primary field to voters.

Mondaire, along with fellow Democrat Ritchie Torres, are poised to become the first openly gay Black men elected to Congress. Mondaire’s life story of growing up in Section 8 housing and using access to great public schools to lift himself out of poverty is unique to Congress, and his experiences will be a valuable asset to moving policies that benefit all Americans.

Congress needs more Mondaires. We’re thrilled for his victory and the unique and needed perspective he will bring to Congress when he is sworn in. Congratulations Mondaire!

The vote totals have been finalized and we’re excited to report that Mark Conway has defeated his nine opponents and won his primary for Baltimore City Council District 4! Convergence was proud to be part of this effort, offering strategic guidance as we shifted tactics in response COVID-19 and direct mail.

Convergence was able to capitalize on late money and a late-breaking endorsement from the Baltimore Sun and had a piece of mail in the hands of voters focused on the endorsement within three days of publication. We’re confident our ability to communicate that endorsement quickly and effectively is what ultimately tipped the scales in Mark’s favor in this close contest.

Congratulations, Mark!

Last night, Kylon Middleton emerged victorious in a hotly competitive primary for Charleston, SC County Council. Kylon, the pastor of historic Mt. Zion AME Church with a diverse coalition of supporters across the county, connected with voters by sharing his vision for Charleston and its need for strong, moral leadership guiding council decisions.

Convergence devised and executed a multi-media paid communications plan that included mail, digital and radio.  Our expanded communications plan paid off, as turnout was almost double the previous primary in this district, and Kylon won the election by 238 votes. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with Kylon in the General Election in November!

Last night, two longtime Convergence clients — Mayor David Meyer and Councilperson So Lim —won their re-election bids in Fairfax City, VA. The election was rescheduled from its original date and took place predominantly by mail, a first for the City of Fairfax. Convergence worked with our clients to adjust the timing and content of direct mail, and employ digital advertising in the case of Mayor Meyer, to help our clients retain their seats.

Congratulations to Mayor Meyer and Councilperson Lim — we’re glad to know they’re at the helm, helping the City of Fairfax reopen and recover safely.

Yesterday in Charleston’s runoff mayoral election, voters re-elected Mayor John Tecklenburg in a landslide 21-point victory. This was Convergence’s second campaign with John Tecklenburg, who will begin his second term as Mayor in January.

In the primary, Mayor Tecklenburg faced five challengers and led the field with 48% of the vote. Convergence communicated the Mayor’s accomplishments early and often. Through the mail, in print and in digital ads, we amplified Mayor Tecklenburg’s results on key issues such as flooding, development, and traffic.

To make our content especially relevant, we employed a series of maps and variable data so that readers can see where, exactly, Mayor Tecklenburg was making progress in their individual neighborhoods. We echoed this message through digital video targeted to an expanded universe, further articulating our case that re-electing Mayor Tecklenburg meant continuing progress for Charleston.

In the two-week runoff, Convergence delivered six mail pieces, as well as print and digital ads, highlighting the key differences between Mayor Tecklenburg and his opponent and making clear that re-electing the Mayor was the best choice for Charleston. On election day, voters overwhelmingly agreed, delivering a 61-39 victory for Tecklenburg.

Convergence founder and President Chris Cooper is a native Charlestonian. He, and the rest of the team, are proud to have been a part of Mayor Tecklenburg’s re-election campaign.

At the end of last week, family law attorney and nonprofit leader Jonathan Melton was elected to the Raleigh City Council after a five-way race for two seats. Convergence was proud to be a part of this winning effort, working alongside the Melton campaign team and serving as the primary method of voter communication, producing direct mail and digital advertising focused on our campaign’s message: coming from a place of “yes” in a city that faces incredible opportunities and challenges as it grows, ensuring that growth is sustainable and equitable.

Our digital campaign included short- and medium-form video advertisements, including direct-to-camera appeals from the candidate and small ‘news features’ focused on our endorsements. In the mail, we presented our campaign’s message and endorsements using a modern, distinctly future-oriented design approach that helped reinforce our candidate’s message of change and embracing the future.

Congratulations to Councilor-Elect Melton and his entire campaign team!