DCCC Political Meeting Memo

To: Rep. Denny Heck From: DCCC Southern Political Director – Andrew Piatt (cell: 817-368-6523, email: [email protected]) Date: February 27, 2016 RE: Recruitment meeting with Patrick Chapin (FL-07)

Purpose of the Meeting:

Thank you for meeting with Patrick Chapin. He is the President & CEO of the Winter Park, Florida Chamber of Commerce. He is also an Ironman Triathlete. Please encourage him to consider running for Congress against long-time incumbent John Mica in the newly created swing district in FL-07.

Talking Points:

 Please wish Chapin well as he donated a kidney to a Marine who needed one last month and is currently recovering.

 Chapin listed the following as his primary concerns (responses bolded below each):

o Polling. I have to see him as vulnerable. The off year election would be even worse. . DCCC Polled this week (we are preparing the results Friday afternoon – See addendum Andrew will have on hand).

o I feel strongly that it would have to be local dems coming to me and asking me to run, not D.C. suggesting it and me trying to rally support. We would have to convince the major democrat folks in town that Mica is vulnerable first. You really should talk to Suzanne Randolf (sic) to get her gut reaction to this idea. I bet she would echo the challenge of going up against Mica. . Please tell him we will continue to work on this. We are meeting with Mayor Dyer (Orlando Mayor), FL-09 Candidate Susannah Randolph and Stephanie Haddock (Political Director for Ed Haddock of Full Sail University) to pitch the district and Patrick’s candidacy. We will continue to do these meetings now and throughout the cycle. . Please tell him that this is something that builds over time around a good candidate like him. The DCCC will partner with him to build momentum on the ground, but a good first quarter of fundraising will go a long way to put this district on the map. . Please tell him that the DCCC has an imminent story that should run in the Orlando Sentinel regarding Mica’s campaign spending practices. Please ask him to keep this information close hold until the story is written.

o Lastly, as you know, I am unable to run in my current role. I’m sure I could find something to keep some income coming in while running but “unemployed” isn’t good for me financially or from a candidate messaging standpoint. . Please tell most candidates are full-time candidates – there are no messaging concerns here. If he can afford to make that work until November the payoff is worth it. Talk about the high points of being a member. We likely will not be able to help him find another job and would prefer he was a full-time candidate.

1  Please let Chapin know that this is now a 50/50 district and is frankly the most competitive Congressional district in the state of Florida. President Obama received 50.2% of the vote in 2012 and 51.5% in 2008. We can win here.

 Please tell Chapin that the DCCC believes we have enough time to mount his successful campaign because Mica has grown lazy over the years and doesn’t raise much money. He hasn’t filed for Q4 yet, but only raised $50,000 in Q3 and a little more than $100,000 and has approximately $550,000 on hand. This is a gap we can easily close.

 Please stress that Mica has never had a competitive general election and is not in fighting shape. He has blind spots in his political profile for the new district which is far more diverse and Democratic (changes described in background below).

 Please tell Chapin that the DCCC is serious about recruiting a strong candidate in this pickup opportunity, which is why we are talking to him and aren’t shy about our plans to overcome his reticence.

Background:

 Bill Phillips got in the race in Q4 and did not raise sufficient funds to mount a successful campaign. He withdrew his candidacy early this week.

 Chapin has been recruited by Democrats in the state House and Senate of the past six months. His board of Directors will not permit him to run for state office because he is a Democrat. He is not willing to separate from the Chamber over this for a part-time job in Tallahassee, but expressed a willingness to do so for Congress.

 The newly redrawn FL-07 now contains the eastern part of Orlando and its suburbs to the east and north of the city. Its major population centers are Orlando, Sanford, and Altamonte Springs.

 Compared to the old district, the new seat gained the territory of eastern Orlando and Sanford, but lost Deltona and Orange City to the new FL-06.

 As a result of these changes, the new FL-07's average Democratic performance rose by 4.6 points to 51.9%. President Obama narrowly won the new FL-07 with 50.02% in 2012 and 51.5% in 2008.

 The new seat is also more diverse. The African American voting age population increased 1.5 points compared to the old district and the Hispanic voting age population increased 2.7 points.

Biography:

Currently President and CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce with over 20 years of operations, marketing, fundraising, sponsorship development and management experience. A natural and passionate leader with a proven record of setting and exceeding goals in both corporate and non-profit businesses, including the Walt Disney Company and the YMCA movement. A strategic thinker and initiator with excellent communication skills who develops strong relationships and leads people towards the fulfillment of mutual and meaningful objectives.

FL-07 DISTRICT SUMMARY 2 3 4