Q&A with Derek Dufresne
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I was all over the place. I wanted to be a veterinarian at one point, a history professor at another, a pediatric surgeon, and even a museum curator or an archeologist.
How did you end up involved in politics?
I never had much interest in politics as a kid, but my dad was the longtime moderator for our city’s ward. He looked at his role as an opportunity to give back to the community, which I remember having great pride in him for. He ran a tight ship, enforcing election rules for our westside Manchester voting precinct. I still remember him telling me, “Ronald Reagan was a nice guy, but I had no problem politely tossing him out of the building when he illegally entered my precinct to keep shaking the hands of voters on Election Day.” Growing up in New Hampshire, politics was always around me, but it wasn’t a focus of mine.
Years later, as a student at Saint Anselm College majoring in History, I wrote a letter to our local mayor inquiring about how I could get involved in restoring some historical elements to our downtown. He invited me to City Hall, we had a great conversation, and he eventually asked me if I would be interested in interning in his office and focusing on those efforts. I figured it was worth the experience, and what better way to apply my degree in History than by playing some role in it — so I submitted the appropriate documents.
Ironically, my now business partner, Mike Biundo (who I didn’t know at the time), ran an upset campaign that would topple that mayor out of office. Fortunately, my resume was forwarded to the next mayor, Frank Guinta, with whom I also had a positive meeting, and he decided to offer me the same opportunity. From there, I began my unexpected career in politics in New Hampshire, evolved into working on Capitol Hill, and emerged into co-founding a successful political firm that works in all corners of the country.
Tell me your best political story or favorite political memory.
My favorite political memory has to be Kat Cammack’s first primary win in 2020. We were out-raised but never out-worked. We applied innovative tactics that our other nine opponents and their teams failed to utilize. We won that race because we had a better candidate, message, and strategy. As a general consultant, I know it is hard to have all three of those in a single campaign, but with that race in Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, we did.
Watching her grow in the House and become one of the leading national voices in the conservative movement has been amazing.
How do you spend your free time?
I play rugby! After a long day, my phone goes into my bag when I get to practice or a match, and I’m pretty much unreachable for that short time. Politics never stops. Having an outlet that forces me to unplug for a bit each week makes me even better at what I do when I take my rugby boots off and turn my phone back on again.
What is the best concert you’ve attended?
Hands down, Billy Joel when he performed at Nat’s Park in DC. It was pouring down rain in the middle of the summer, but he never left the stage — he was banging on his piano and belting out his hits as the raindrops splashed off his keys — an absolutely incredible show.
Derek Dufresne: Candidate Quality and Authenticity
One question I get asked a lot is, “what is the most important quality a candidate needs to have to win an election?” What do I look for in someone to gauge whether they can come out on top in a race?
There are a lot of important factors every person who is thinking of running should consider and that I look for during my first conversation with a candidate. Fundraising ability, biography, and work ethic are all crucial determining factors. However, there’s one thing that I always pay attention to — authenticity.
We define authenticity as something being genuine. Authentic people are high-character individuals who don’t just “talk the talk”; they also “walk the walk.” This means they back up their positive, empowering words with actions that benefit themselves and others. No candidate is perfect, but those who are comfortable in their skin and confident in their convictions can usually overcome their flaws and the eventual speed bumps that occur in every campaign. The wishy-washy ones who play multiple sides of issues or try to be something or someone they aren’t usually wind up failing.
Whether it’s a donor, a grassroots activist, or the general electorate, all are craving honesty. One gives treasure, the next their time, and the final their trust to effectively represent them.
Donors are typically very astute and are good at sniffing out inauthentic candidates. For most, a contribution to a candidate is a lot like a business investment, so they need to believe that a candidate is worthy. Donors are giving their treasure, which he or she has worked hard for. They are also likely getting phone calls from scores of other candidates asking for money. Thus, the candidates who do the best at locking down the most money are the ones who can honestly connect with a donor on a personal level, and to do that, the candidate must be authentic to who he or she is. Those who aren’t will almost always eventually fail at fundraising.
Like donors, grassroots activists give up something precious to a campaign — their time. Knocking on doors, hosting events, and making phone calls are significant commitments. To convince these highly politically engaged folks to sacrifice their nights and weekends, they need to feel connected to the candidate and become passionate about the campaign they are supporting. You can only make that happen with a candidate they can believe in and trust. Inauthentic candidates will never be able to build a grassroots campaign, and they typically struggle, especially in primaries where the value of activists is at its highest.
Finally, the broader electorate and voters are also craving people with character. They want someone they can trust to represent them – someone who will actually get stuff done. Unlike donors and activists, most voters will never personally meet the individual they are casting a ballot for. That is why, similar to the value I place on authenticity in a candidate, the same must be said for the campaign. Accurately reflecting who the candidate is in their television ads, mail, and digital programs is crucial to building trust and winning over voters. Having a posh businesswoman carry a shotgun over her shoulder in a TV spot to pander to Second Amendment voters doesn’t work. Neither does putting a gritty, blue-collar farmer in a suit in his mail piece. Winning campaigns build on the authenticity of a candidate and understand the value of earning the voter’s trust.
As I have outlined, authenticity is critical to winning an election, but it also makes the whole journey for the candidate and their team much more enjoyable. Elections are tough. Being who you are, your flaws and all, is always easier than being a different version of yourself. Donors, activists, and the wider electorate will always reward an authentic candidate over an inauthentic one, and the reality is that everyone will be better for it.
ICYMI: We’re Reed Award Finalists!
Campaigns & Elections announced Reed Award finalists this week, and we are finalists in an impressive 14 categories!
The categories we are finalists in are as follows:
- Bootstrapped Campaigns > Best Direct Mail Piece for a Bootstrapped Campaign
- Brand & Merch > Best Piece of Campaign Merchandise
- Brand & Merch > Most Original/Innovative Collateral Item
- Digital – Advertising & Targeting > Best Campaign Meme
- Direct Mail > Best Mail Piece for a Bare-Knuckled Street Fight Victory
- Direct Mail > Best Villain in a Mail Piece for Republican Campaign
- Direct Mail > Best Mail Piece for State Legislative Campaign (Republican)
- Direct Mail > Best Mail Piece for Independent Expenditure Campaign – Local, County, or Municipal
- Direct Mail > Best Mail Piece for Special Election Campaign
- Direct Mail > Best Use of Technology to Support a Direct Mail Program
- Direct Mail > Best Comparative Mail Piece
- Direct Mail > Best Mail Piece for Independent Expenditure Campaign – US House/Senate
- Television > Best TV Ad on a Shoestring Budget
- Mobile > Best Use of Mobile to Support a Field Program
As always, if you are in need of an award-winning team who knows what it takes to make your campaign or organization stand out, reach out to info@ascent-strategic.com.
