‘Not all endorsements are created equally’: The value of endorsements in local politics

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At the end of the day, politics is a popularity contest, dependent upon securing enough on-the-ground support to win elections and stay elected. One of the key tools to that end is securing endorsements, but not all endorsements hold equal weight.

In conversation with incumbents and those seeking office in this election cycle, the endorsement process, they say, ranges from “a show of solidarity among peers and important organizations” to “dignified and sometimes undignified begging” with a whole lot of hurt feelings in between.

“Not all endorsements are created equally,” said Jake Dilemani, a Democratic political strategist. “The same is true for party organization endorsements. And while it is almost always better to have your home party’s organization than to not, it’s neither necessary nor sufficient.”