This Labor Day, cool down before things heat up! 

Those who work in Missouri politics know that August tends to be an especially hot month in even-numbered years. Why? It’s hard to cool down after a heated primary. 

Unpleasant fact: more people lose primaries than win them. Perhaps you have experienced how painful such a loss can be as a candidate, staff, or ardent supporter. When you’ve worked hard and invested deeply in a campaign, defeat is deeply felt and may be difficult to shake, especially if you feel it wasn’t a fair fight. Indeed, even victors can find it difficult to quickly and effectively pivot away from intra party conflicts and refocus on the general election. 

That’s a big problem. Primaries are a midpoint of campaign season, not the end. 

I cannot count how often I’ve watched smart, passionate and dedicated staff, candidates and  supporters allow distrust, grudges and feuds stemming from primaries become thieves, robbing them of focus, energy and potential opportunities just as the general election makes such resources critical. 

Labor Day weekend provides one last breather before the frantic weeks leading up to the general election. It’s essential to make the most of this moment by taking a moment to reflect, repair and reset. 

If you are still harboring ill-will or bitterness from the primaries, what’s that costing you? The staff of the defeated primary candidate likely include talented people who already know the district. They could be a tremendous addition to the victor’s team in the general election, helping mend bridges and build connections with new voters, donors and others.

Could you achieve more to support victory in the November elections if you let live, let go, and extend a hand in peace? The victorious primary candidate probably aligns more closely with your values and policy priorities than their opponent in the general election. What can you do to help them win? 

The LeadMO community need no reminder about the supreme urgency of the general election. I encourage you to rest, reset and repair NOW so that you can be an effective team member and make the most of your time and gifts in the weeks ahead.

Beth Low-Smith, Executive Director