PROFILE

Founded in the summer of 2005, Common Good Strategies (CGS) is a political strategy firm dedicated to helping Democrats reclaim the debate on faith and values. CGS works with Democratic elected officials, candidates, and social justice-minded non-profits to develop and implement religious outreach programs that improve relationships and understanding with the religious community. CGS also helps Democrats understand how to effectively and authentically communicate our principles and beliefs with people of faith and helps Democrats develop policy positions that will resonate with the faith community.

CGS has worked with:

• Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)
• Bob Casey for U.S. Senate
• Ted Strickland for Governor
• Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate
• Michigan Democratic Party
• Jennifer Granholm for Governor
• Kansas Democratic Party
• Kathleen Sebelius for Governor
• Democratic Party of Oregon
• Heath Shuler for U.S. Congress

CGS has also worked with leaders in the U.S. House and Senate on faith and values outreach and communications. Exit polls demonstrated that CGS clients significantly out-performed the national Democratic average in both the more traditionally conservative and liberal faith voting blocks.

During the height of this past campaign season, CGS had eight staff working in six different states.

Support for CGS

"Common Good Strategies shows Democrats with faith, heart, and soul how to profess their commitment to a nation that cares as much for neighbors as ourselves. CGS helps good Democrats rediscover the prophetic voice they need to lead this nation in a new and better direction."

Mike McCurry

"Many in our Party have started to talk about the importance of authentic engagement with America's religious communities, but CGS has been putting that talk into action. Common Good Strategies has helped our Party and elected officials build new relationships with faith leaders from across the country. The work CGS is doing has the potential to alter the political landscape and help our Party succeed in 2006 and beyond."

Mark Brewer
Vice Chair, DNC
President, Association of State Democratic Chairs

"Common Good Strategies taught a terrific workshop at our 2006 state convention. I highly recommend their services. Eric and Mara are professional, highly skilled, engaging trainers who empowered our party leaders, candidates, and campaign managers with fresh strategies to engage religious leaders and voters. In just one day, Oregon Democrats learned critical skills that helped our candidates reach new voters and served as a catalyst for our state party’s new faith outreach project that attracted national attention."

Neel Pender
Executive Director, Democratic Party of Oregon
President, Association of Democratic Executive Directors