BFA PAC 2018 General Election Endorsements

Buckeye Firearms Association PAC has released endorsements for Ohio statewide, legislative, and congressional races. Click here to view.

It is cliché that “every vote counts.” It should also be noted that “every election matters.” The next few weeks bring a unique opportunity for citizens. It goes without saying that we should vote, but that is not enough. We should also be working with good candidate’s campaigns.

Many people view elections with a cynical eye. They think the results are controlled by big money, key players and back-room deals. If the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States did nothing else, it proved that the people, not the political parties and pundits control who wins elections.

But to control an election, you need to be involved. If you want your elected officials to work for you for the next 2/4/6 years, then you need to work for them for the next few weeks. If you want them to take a vested interest in your issues, then you need to show some interest in their campaign. If you want them to know you, now is the time to get to know them. They are in your districts working hard every day to win on November 6th.

For those who have never worked on a campaign – try it – you might like it. Years ago when we started this PAC, I did my first campaign work. Not because I wanted too, but because it was not right for me to ask anyone to do something I was not willing to do myself. So I begrudgingly went to campaign headquarters, stuffed envelopes, made phone calls, did literature drops and even did door-to-door talking with perspective voters. (Something I feared and was strongly opposed to doing.)

It turned out that I didn’t hate doing these tasks. In fact, I actually enjoyed them. I met a lot of people (some friends to this day) who shared my interests and values. I met teens who could not vote yet, so they were involved in other ways to “be heard.” I met octogenarians who had never worked on a campaign in their life, but were not happy with the direction of things and thought it was time they get involved. And I met lots of others in-between.

Some worked on campaigns for the same issues I did, and others for completely different areas of interest. As I worked, I learned more about the candidate and he/she got to know me. Those relationships have been beneficial not just politically, but personally as well. I look forward to the coming weeks and being involved with new campaigns and meeting new people.

If you care about our country/state, and want to make a difference, I don’t think there is any better return on your investment than working on a campaign. Because so few will do so, it does not take much to be in the top 1-2%. A couple half-days over the next 4 weeks will probably do it. It really is a minimal investment for a potentially lifelong return.

I also realize that some people simply can’t donate any time. If you have no time, then you should donate money. It does not have to be a huge amount. Bernie Sanders proved how far a large group of small donors can take even a Presidential candidate. (If it were not for a rigged system by Hillary Clinton and the DNC, they might have taken him all the way to the Whitehouse!) Ohio residents can donate $50/person or $100/couple to many candidates and get full credit towards their State income tax bill. Not a deduction, but a credit. So, you can either pay the state taxes to go toward a bloated state budget, or you can divert some of your money to a candidate/cause you believe in. What a great way to make your voice heard.

So, we invite you to get involved; donate money or donate time (or both). Look at our endorsed candidates, follow the links to their websites and get to know them. Attend an event so they can get to know you.

It’s healthy. It’s fun. It matters.

Click here for a list of our endorsed candidates.

90 percent of winning is showing up. Together, we can win this election and continue to restore our rights.

Jim Irvine is Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman, recipient of the NRA-ILA's 2011 Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award and CCRKBA's 2012 Gun Rights Defender of the Year Award.