Rob Russell for Congress

Volunteering: 

If you would like to volunteer to assist our campaign -- even for only an hour a week -- please send an email to rob@robrussellforcongress.com. If you are willing to make calls or canvas your neighborhood to spread the word, put up a yard sign and/or ask other individuals or businesses to do likewise, or just act as a liason to the local Democratic HQ's -- making sure they have our signs and stickers -- whatever time you can give us, we would greatly appreciate it.

Donating:

You can donate securely via Paypal here or you can mail contributions, in the form of a personal check payable to "Rob Russell For Congress," to:

Rob Russell For Congress

PO Box 3413

Kingsport, TN 37664-3413

Starting August 8th, we will be sending anyone who contributes $50 or more to Rob's campaign:

- 1 Rob Russell for Congress Yard Sign

- 1 Rob Russell for Congress Bumper Sticker

- 1 Rob Russell for Congress Button

We will also be delivering the above items to anyone who contributed over $50 prior to August 7th, if they haven't already picked them up.

Rob answers questions about donating:

1. Why should I contribute to Rob's campaign?

Good question! Campaigning costs money, and the expectation is that any serious Democratic contender in the First District must at least come within spitting distance of the Republican nominee's war-chest if he is to have any hope at all. It is estimated that, during their primary battle, Roe and Davis will each spend nearly one million dollars, and you can bet that whoever wins will be able to come up with at least another half-million for the general election. I'm not crazy -- I know there's no way I can raise that much money -- but I am determined that we run as competitive a campaign as possible, and that means yard signs, TV ads, radio ads, newspaper ads, mass mailings, etc., as well as a lot of gas to get all around this huge district and knock on doors, shake hands, and speak to as many groups as possible.

2. What are the limits on contributions?

An individual can give up to $2,300 per election to a single candidate. A registered PAC (political action committee) can give up to $5,000, as can the state or national party. I am relying exclusively on individual donations, and I'm not hopeful that the state or national party will contribute anything to my campaign: they both wrote-off Northeast Tennessee long ago.

3. I can't donate much, but I'd like to help -- what can I do?

In my opinion, $50 from any hard-working East Tennesseean is worth a lot more than $5,000 from a PAC. Any amount, even $5, will help us out immensely. You could also consider volunteering for the campaign:  putting up signs, distributing literature, assisting at events, knocking on doors, etc. Anything you can do to help will be accepted and appreciated. Just email rob@robrussellforcongress.com or call 423-571-2515 for more information.

4. Is my campaign contribution tax deductible?

Unfortunately, no.

5. What happens to the unspent money after the campaign is over?

This was my son's question -- he's a burgeoning capitalist, so this was important to him. I seriously doubt, if we do our jobs right, that there will be anything left -- heck, we'll probably be in a bit of debt (it's nearly unavoidable). But if it does so happen that there is anything left over, it can be  donated to another candidate's campaign (up to $2,000)  or kept for the next campaign.

A message from Rob:

Dear Rob Russell For Congress Supporters,

I feel strongly that the nation is at a crossroads. We have an opportunity to go forward, to fulfill the promise of America to its citizens. Or, we can continue on our current road, a path that has led to increased economic disparity, unequal access to healthcare, and dependence on non-renewable energy sources controlled mainly by foreign powers.

Our region, too, is at a critical point in its history. Never before have so many East Tennesseans, some with party loyalties going back five and six generations, been ready to make a change.

But this change can’t happen if the people of East Tennessee don’t know that there is a voice that will represent their best interests in Washington. Spreading my message will take time and money, both of which are in short supply for all of us these days.

My wife and I are contributing as much of our non-essential resources as we can to this campaign, but I am counting on you, the hard-working East Tennessean, to help my campaign reach as many voters as possible. You are my constituency, not the corporations and special interests who are the major contributors to my opponents. In my opinion, $50 from any hard-working East Tennesseean is worth $5,000 from a pharmaceutical company.

Any contribution you can make, great or small, will be of great assistance to my campaign, especially during this primary season. Contributions now will help us purchase radio airtime, ads, stickers, posters, and yard signs. The sooner we spread the word, the easier it will be to fund the campaign as we head into the general election on November 4th!

You can donate securely via Paypal here or you can mail contributions, in the form of a personal check payable to "Rob Russell For Congress," to:

Rob Russell For Congress

PO Box 3413

Kingsport, TN 37664-3413

or email Campaign Treasurer Tracey A. Berry at

treasurer@robrussellforcongress.com