More Voice More Power with Ranked Choice Voting

One of our earliest clients, United Strategies is proud to see FairVote MN become the foremost leader and strategist when it comes to adopting Ranked Choice Voting across the country. 

Most recently, United Strategies helped FairVote MN build and win two ballot initiatives in Bloomington and Minnetonka, MN making them the fourth and fifth cities in Minnesota to adopt this much-needed reform. Our digital work to connect constituents with elected officials and educate the public about the importance of Ranked Choice Voting made the difference in 2020. 

In addition, United Strategies worked with advocates for Ranked Choice Voting to launch More Voices MN PAC that raised thousands of dollars for legislative candidates promising to adopt Ranked Choice Voting statewide.

Congratulations to client FairVote Minnesota on their outstanding public education and voter engagement work!

Building a Resilient Campaign in 2020

In November 2020 Congressman Dean Phillips won re-election by the same vote share as 2018, all without a dime spent on TV advertising—and in the middle of a pandemic that required the campaign to shift its ‘Everyone’s Invited’ organizing approach to an all-digital engagement strategy.

United Strategies Partner Richard Carlbom worked tirelessly to support the DeanTeam and its transition to this all-digital campaign strategy, ensuring that volunteers, donors, and staff members felt the same or similar level of engagement as in 2018.

A strategic decision early on, the campaign chose to invest in digital advertising and not traditional television advertising. This resulted in the opposition outspending Congressman Phillips $810,000 to zero on TV—a bulk of the advertising including false negative attack ads.

The DeanTeam invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in highly targeted digital ads that focused on issues voters care most about: working in a bipartisan to bridge the divide in our country. 

Record-Breaking Success for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Thissen

United Strategies Partner Kristen McMullen and Associate Darby Cusack facilitated the raising of critical resources for Supreme Court Justice Paul Thissen’s first election after being appointed to the bench by Governor Mark Dayton in 2018.

We achieved record-breaking success for a Minnesota Supreme Court race through the quick adaptation of an innovative digital fundraising campaign following the onset of coronavirus-related restrictions. In all, 40 virtual events were hosted, the majority being law firm-based fundraisers, along with an aggressive email list building and digital fundraising campaign.

In total, nearly $200,000 was raised for Justice Paul Thissen’s campaign and 86/87 Minnesota counties were won.

Voting is as Easy as 1, 2, 3 with Ranked Choice Voting

This year’s municipal elections in Minneapolis and Saint Paul proved to be one of the biggest tests yet for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV): a smarter, fairer form of democracy that lets voters rank their choices on the ballot.

United Strategies partner Richard Carlbom was brought on board with FairVote Minnesota—the main advocacy organization for RCV and stronger democracy—to provide strategic communications guidance and fundraising support for the last several months leading up to Election Day 2013.

An overwhelming 88% of Minneapolis voters ranked their vote this year, and reports continue to roll in that voters found RCV to be easy, effective, and empowering. Congratulations to client FairVote Minnesota on their outstanding public education and voter engagement work!

Winning the Freedom to Marry

After successfully securing the Freedom to Marry in Minnesota, United Strategies Partner Richard Carlbom served as the Director of State Campaigns for the New York-based Freedom to Marry national campaign. Overseeing a 34 state public engagement and education strategy, Richard traveled to 28 states to provide support to local leaders trying to secure marriage equality. Richard brought his first-hand knowledge of research and strategy to the table, paired with his work to help pioneer long-form conversation-based campaigns that changed the hearts and minds of individuals when it came to their support for marriage equality.

After building statewide campaigns to pursue ballot initiatives in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona, the strategy shifted as marriage equality began to make its way through the federal courts. Quickly, Richard helped shift the campaign to a public education approach ensuring that well-respected voices and trusted messengers spoke of their personal journey when it came to supporting marriage equality. 

In June 2015, Richard stood with his friends and family to celebrate the Supreme Court Decision allowing for the freedom to marry nationwide two years and a month after leading his home state of Minnesota to its own victory in the Minnesota Legislature.