Case Studies
Jim Brenner’s Campaign for Florida’s 100th House District
Problem
Jim Brenner faced a steep uphill battle as a first-time candidate entering the race for Florida’s 100th House District with only nine weeks until the general election. Lacking any prior fundraising experience, Brenner’s campaign faced immediate financial challenges. A budget of $125,000 was determined as the minimum necessary to run a competitive campaign, but with less than five weeks to generate enough funds to begin paying for media targeting early voters, the window for action was extremely tight. Without an established donor base or a structured approach to fundraising, the campaign risked falling short of its financial needs.
Solution
E3N Strategies acted quickly to build a robust and scalable fundraising infrastructure tailored to the campaign’s compressed timeline. The first step was to train Brenner on the fundamentals of fundraising solicitation. We worked intensively with him to ensure he was comfortable making asks, articulating his vision, and maintaining consistency during call time. Establishing a disciplined and efficient call-time process became a cornerstone of the campaign’s approach.
To expand the donor pool, we conducted extensive research into Brenner’s personal and professional network, including reaching out to friends and colleagues from decades ago. Using a snowball effect strategy, we engaged these contacts to both contribute and introduce new donors to the campaign. A finance committee of high-level donors was also formed to provide strategic support and open additional fundraising opportunities.
Additionally, E3N Strategies coordinated high-impact fundraising events to bolster the campaign’s visibility and donor engagement. Notably, we organized both in-person and virtual fundraisers, including a Zoom event featuring Secretary of State John Kerry, which added credibility and enthusiasm to the campaign. These events not only raised significant funds but also helped attract local donors who were previously unconnected to the candidate.
Results
Despite the challenges of a late entry into the race and an initial lack of fundraising experience, the campaign raised over $140,000 by Election Day, surpassing the initial goal of $125,000. This financial success allowed the campaign to invest in targeted media strategies, including direct mail to engage early voters, ensuring the campaign had a presence in key moments leading up to the election.
The campaign’s ability to exceed its fundraising target in such a short timeframe demonstrated the effectiveness of E3N Strategies’ rapid-response approach. By leveraging Brenner’s personal network, engaging high-profile surrogates like Secretary Kerry, and implementing a disciplined call-time strategy, we helped transform a financially uncertain campaign into a competitive and well-funded operation.