Mercenary canvassers

Lincoln Strategy Group, a political strategy management firm with an exclusively-GOP clientele and an Arizona area code, has been advertising $15/hr-plus-gas-stipend positions to canvass Spokane neighborhoods on behalf of an unnamed “Republican candidate” from July 17 through August 7. (Provide at the worker’s own expense a “smartphone and reliable transportation.”)

I am a member of Spokane Indivisible, one of several unpaid-volunteer Fifth District grassroots organizations that have invested canvassing time and personal funds to support Lisa Brown’s candidacy. In May 2018, CMR’s campaign spokeswoman, Ashley Stubbs, falsely described us to the press as “… ultra-left groups using their Westside money to ask misleading questions, push a Seattle agenda on Eastern Washington …”

Based on Ms. Stubb’s statement, it must be a Republican candidate other than CMR with enough money to employ a high-powered strategy company and hire a small mercenary army of canvassers, right?

Should a canvasser knock on your door, you might ask them what their connection is with Eastern Washington and whether they’re paid. Judge the response on its merits and motivation.

Jerry LeClaire

Spokane