The 1994 elections are history. Newt is on a tight leash, the Contract on America is losing in the polls, and Clinton and Dole are all but nominated. Soon, the 1996 election will be coming to a community near you. Now is the time for housing advocates to start planning electoral work with tenants living in public and assisted housing, CDCs, CBOs, homeless individuals, and other low-income advocates.
Recent elections demonstrate that a strong organizing presence can swing an election.
In the campaign to replace Oregon Senator Bob Packwood, the work of labor, enviros, and other progressive organizers made the difference in Senator Ron Wyden's narrow 53-47 percent victory. Organized labor leaders plan to create new activist groups to educate and organize on issues significant to union families. Housers should follow their example. The extent to which an organization can legally participate in an election depends on its IRS status. Such organizations are limited in the amount of lobbying they can do, and they cannot endorse candidates of certain parties or who favor or oppose specific public policies.