Democrats should focus on substantive issues instead of culture war debates

By Paul Kendrick

When confronted by a culture war or loaded ideological topic, Democrats often want to “win” the debate.

We live in a loud media climate. Oftentimes, candidates and politicians feel they need to politicize or turn an issue into a headline.

Republicans and Democrats alike are seen by many as pushing an agenda. But in my years of research and of training Democratic candidates for school boards and local offices across the Midwest’s battleground states, I found a different strategy was more effective in winning hearts, minds and seats.