Here in the year 2019, there are no major elections in Brevard County. And that makes it a great time for people who like to observe local politics – and maybe vent their opinions to friends – to learn just how to run a campaign and join the action.
So says Satellite Beach resident Kathryn Rudloff, executive director of Business Voice, a political committee seeking candidates to take its pro-business values onto the councils and commissions where policies are made.
“A lot of people who like to talk politics eventually decide to run,” she said recently. “But that doesn’t mean they have the qualifications to serve.”
Business Voice started in 2008 as part of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, she said. But after a few years, its board of directors decided to take the group’s effort beyond Melbourne and South Brevard and into the rest of the county.
“We started this amid the effects of the end of the space shuttle program and the loss of 8,000 jobs,” Business Voice Chairman Larry McIntyre recalled.
“We try to find candidates who will do their best to bring jobs to Brevard County and help our ever-growing and challenging community.”
He said the board sought a political professional to help develop candidates and hired Rudloff for the part-time post. She had previously helped former state Sen. Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) launch his campaign for Congress and win the state’s 8th District seat.
“I thought I knew about politics,” he said. “But talking with Kathryn, she knows so much, I learned more than I ever knew and it showed me how little I really knew before.”
The key part of her work, Rudloff said, is the two-day candidate training seminar, for either would-be candidates or campaign workers. And it’s open to people from all parties.
Training covers organization, communications and fundraising, as taught by local and statewide political consultants and other guest speakers. Rudloff said she was able to get County Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott to lead this year’s curriculum.
This year the seminar is scheduled for May 3 and 4 at the Courtyard Marriott in West Melbourne. Cost is $50 for participants.
But to get a spot in the seminar, would-be candidates and others need to apply by March 31 by emailing the committee at [email protected]. For more information, Rudloff invites applicants to call her at 321-549-7852.
But the committee can’t win the race for a candidate, McIntyre said. The candidate has to be out in the community, knocking on doors and talking to voters.
“We can teach you how to knock on doors,” he said. “But we can’t win you the election.”
