Politicians ringing in the new year with last-minute fundraising appeals

The New Year is an opportunity to cherish memories, reflect on decisions and set goals for the year ahead.

But it’s also a chance for some politicians and interests — or maybe their email-savvy fundraisers — to make a last ask for cash.

Some have superstitious practices on New Year’s Eve to bode good fortune, ranging from leaving cash under carpets to putting a coin in a loaf of bread. Perhaps those who are as superstitious as they are politically engaged have unique, luck-bringing traditions of their own. Maybe President Donald Trump puts a Benjamin in a rectangular carve out of the pages in “The Art of the Deal.” Maybe Nancy Pelosi does the same for “Know Your Power: A Message to America’s Daughters.”

And if Congressman Ron DeSantis has any campaign cash superstitions, they should be taken seriously. 

Personal myths aside, fundraising is imperative to The Process. No matter how cheesy the subject lines are — “We need your help!” or “Breaking News!” —  know that grassroots fundraising certainly isn’t easy. Florida Politics put together a list of some of the fundraising messages we’ve received.

See something you like? Go ahead and give. ‘Tis the season, after all.

—

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio

I just recorded a short video for you to listen to before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st.

It will only take a minute to listen to — and I hope you will do so right away.

Friend, we have our work cut out for us next year and I am ready to accomplish everything at hand. I hope to have your continued support as we look forward to the future and ensuring we leave our nation better off for our children.

Please listen to my message right now and afterwards I hope you will consider making a donation before midnight on December 31st.

P.S. Many people are hoping my conservative voice will disappear from Washington. I have no plans on leaving — which is why I need your financial support to ensure I have the funds needed to fight back against any attacks thrown my way. Please consider giving as generously as you can afford by contributing after listening to my message.

Then a follow up the next day

We are about to close our fundraising books on the year and I can’t find your name as having been a 2017 donor.  I would be honored to have your support before the year’s end. No donation is too small. If you can afford to chip in any amount before the year’s end, please do so by following this link or clicking the button below.   BECOME A 2017 DONOR CONTRIBUTE BEFORE MIDNIGHT DEC 31 >>>   Friend, I know I’ve counted on your support before, and for that I have been so grateful. I know I wouldn’t be able to fight for our values in Washington if it weren’t for your previous support. And that’s exactly why I need your renewed support before the clock strikes midnight. I am only able to fight back against the attacks thrown our way if we can maintain a campaign account that has those funds at the ready. That’s why it’s so critical I can count on you before the year’s end. If you are able to donate before midnight, I hope you will consider making a donation of $25, $50, $100 or as generously as you can afford. Thank you for your continued support. I am honored to have your friendship and I share your commitment to our nation. I hope you and your loved ones have a very wonderful Holiday and fantastic New Year.

And another P.S. …

If this is incorrect, and you have donated this year, I hope you will forgive my mistake.

—

Democratic Florida Congressman Darren Soto

Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum

Then a follow up the next day

We have less than a day until our end-of-year deadline and we need your help to finish strong!

Have you chipped in $5 yet?

2017 has been a building year for Team Gillum. We haven’t always had the most millionaire contributors, but we have something that’s truly special: you.

Andrew is the only candidate in this race who isn’t a millionaire and he doesn’t have a famous last name — he’s worked hard to get where he is today. Knowing that hard-working people like yourself support him and chip in whatever you can afford, whenever you can, means more than a check with a lot of zeros ever could.

This campaign started as a people-powered movement, and it will end as one when we elect Andrew as Florida’s next Governor in 2018. A new poll shows that we have the momentum in this race and we’re tied or beating our GOP opponents.

But, right now, we need your help to meet our end-of-year deadline — so chip in $5 now.

—

Democratic candidate for Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Ring

State House District 93 candidate Emma Collum

We just did the calculations, and we only need about 19 more contributions to hit our fundraising goal.

Will you donate $10, $25, $50 or more?

(You can contribute as much as $1,000… but any amount will get us closer.)

Emma’s hitting the phones hard, so if she’s talked to you and this email crossed paths, please accept my apologies.

—

Democratic candidate for Congress David Shapiro

We’ll get straight to the point.

Our critical FEC deadline is at midnight.

We must report the strongest possible numbers, both total raised and number of donors, to show that our campaign is ready to compete and win in 2018.

Vern Buchanan and his Republican machine are depending on the deep pockets of wealthy contributors and shadowy super PACs to pull him over the finish line next November.

David is counting on grassroots friends and supporters like you. We need $4,750 in the next 24 hours if we’re going to hit our goal. Pitch in now >>

David’s committed to working across the aisle to make sure things get done.

That means standing up to make sure every Floridian has access to affordable health care and protecting our environment from the dangerous effects of climate change. We need to repair our infrastructure before a climate catastrophe claims more American lives.

It means working around the clock to help our local economy and expand job opportunities.

David will take on the hard issues – the issues Vern Buchanan runs away from.

That’s why David needs your help right now. Will you help us hit our fundraising target before midnight tomorrow?

And a follow up

It’s New Year’s Eve, and I wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t important. What we do now will make for a much bigger celebration next New Year’s.

Jason and the team just let me know we’re closing in on our FEC deadline goal. One last push will put us over the top.

Another $805 gets us to our last fundraising goal for 2017. Will you help with a contribution before you head out?

The team has generated a special link you can use right now so your donation goes through securely before midnight.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/shapiro-deceom

Thanks for your support. It means a lot to know the team and I can count on friends like you.

And from my family to yours: Happy New Year 2018 and a happier one in 2019!

—

State House District 69 candidate Jennifer Webb

We are $3800 away from meeting our end of the year goal for 2017. For those who have contributed, thank you!

If you have yet to contribute, please help me keep up this momentum and donate $39, $72, $149, or $317 before the New Year!

Thank you and Happy New Year!’

—

Florida For Care Deputy Director Eric Stevens

As you know, one of Florida for Care’s donors has offered to match every donation made until 11:59pmNew Year’s Eve.

Please help us keep the fight for patient access going by donating to the match here today.

Our work is still very important:

– We’re pushing back against city and county moratoriums which are making it more difficult for patients.

– We’re fighting to make sure both Amendment 2 and the implementation law passed last year are followed to the letter.

– We’re involved in the lawsuits that will hopefully protect patients’ rights and preserve a fair marketplace.

Please help us keep this work going by making a donation to Florida for Care before 2017 runs out.

Thank you,

—

Pasco County Commissioner candidate Mike Moore

Please help Mike continue the campaign’s momentum by making a secure, online contribution before the end of 2017!  

Mike is working tirelessly every day, fighting hard for us as our County Commissioner.  Please help us as we work each day to raise the resources we need to communicate about Mike Moore and our campaign with thousands of voters throughout Pasco County.

The maximum contribution allowed under Florida law is $1,000 per person, business or political committee.  If you haven’t yet contributed the maximum allowed by Florida law, please contribute today to help Mike finish strong in 2017! 

Thank you, in advance, for your generous contribution to Mike Moore’s campaign to remain your Pasco County Commissioner.

—

New York Democratic Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez

We want to celebrate the New Year with a hit goal in tow. So far, that’s not looking too likely.

We still need 435 donors to step up between now and tomorrow at midnight. Between protecting DREAMers, shoring up our health care system, and defending our democratic institutions from a reckless administration — we have our work cut out for us in 2018.

Pushing back against Paul Ryan, Donald Trump, and Steve Bannon’s right wing agenda takes time, and yes, resources. Which is why we have to send you messages like these: will you be one of the 435 donors we need to contribute to hitting our FEC goal before New Year’s.

—

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy in a Democratic push to fight the gun lobby

Nothing upsets me more than the sheer inability of Congress to have a serious debate about the epidemic of gun violence in this country.

You know the drill. After each mass shooting, members of Congress offer their thoughts and prayers. Yet time after time, there is no meaningful discussion of what we can actually do to stop the epidemic of gun violence in this country.

Here’s the truth, Peter: will universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, fixing NICS, banning bump stocks and more stop every gun death? Of course not. But I shudder to think what it says about us as a nation if we don’t even attempt to make a good faith effort to try and end this carnage.

So I am committed to electing more Democrats to Congress who are willing to act to save lives. But I cannot do it alone.

Contribute $10 today to the Democratic National Committee — before tomorrow’s final FEC deadline of 2017 — to elect Democrats who will prioritize the American people over the gun lobby.

We can never forget that this pace of carnage from mass shootings happens nowhere else but America. No other nation has to live through mass shooting after mass shooting like the United States.

The gun lobby has been very successful in numbing people to this epidemic and this slaughter. And right now, you can bet they are gearing up to defeat candidates who threaten their priorities in our next election.

That’s why it’s so important that we match their efforts with our own. I am counting on you to help Democrats defeat gun lobby backed candidates in 2018 — are you in?

Contribute $10 right now if you’re ready to elect Democrats who will get to work on solving our country’s epidemic of gun violence:

The vast majority of Americans want Congress to take action to make our communities safer from gun violence. It’s about time we had the courage to do something about it.

Thanks for stepping up today to elect Democrats who aren’t afraid to take on the gun lobby.