Face-to-Face Campaigning: Newly Elected Stony Point, NY Town Councilman Basile

Tom Basile took office as Councilman for the Town of Stony Point, New York on January 1, 2014. He won the election for town councilman last November, the most recent in a long line of accomplishments over the past several years. As a result of the hard-fought campaign, Republicans took back control of the Town Board and now hold a 4-1 majority. 

Though now proudly serving his local community, Basile’s political and professional experiences have extended far beyond New York in government service and as a national political commentator.  As his website accurately states: “Through his work with U.S. Presidents, two Popes, political campaigns and in challenging environments from Iraq to South Asia, Tom’s journey has given him a front row seat to history.” 

Basile previously worked with American Majority as a strategic communications consultant, and our team was excited to see him successfully apply AM’s smart campaign principles during his run for office.  We recently sat down with him to discuss the work and strategies that contributed to his success. 

1. What were you up against as far as party allegiances are concerned?

Basile: There’s nothing run of the mill about New York politics. The county I live in is a Democrat county. More Democrats live in my town, but there is an increasing number of folks who split their tickets [and] there is a dissatisfaction with both parties. With rising taxes and falling home prices, people are paying attention to issues and ideas. I found that to be very encouraging during this race. I’m a big believer that if we’re going to reform government, it’s going to be a bottom up process [and] I was able to be successful because we ran an issues-based campaign.

2. What was the specific process you had to go through in order to run for councilman?

Basile: I was nominated by Republicans in May, then we had a petition process to get on the ballot. I was also competing for the endorsement of the Conservative, Independence and Working Families parties [which] lasted through the Primary in September.

3. From there, what were your next steps?

Basile: I started laying out an agenda and a variety of different issues and specific ideas for how to address what I called the “value crisis” that we have in the town. The government has become so expensive that people don’t think they’re getting the value for their dollar that they should. We addressed key constituencies within the town — seniors, high-tax home owners, volunteer emergency services and others, with specific messages and ideas to address their concerns through literature distribution and a number of mail pieces and paid print ads.

4. What contributed most to your success?

Basile: It was a combination of door-to-door and mail. We had a robust mail program – sent out probably seven different pieces of mail throughout the course of the campaign including [one] that had a great deal of impact: it contained specific ideas for economic development and a plan for the future of the town [and] that was very effective.

On Door-to-Door:

One of the highlights was also one of the most difficult parts. I made a commitment to go door-to-door personally, to as many households as I possibly could and take my message directly to the voters. I started in July, walked after work, on weekends, and whenever I could going door-to-door to targeted homes in the district. I probably hit about 75% of the town over the course of the campaign.

It was a chance to have some wonderful conversations about their ideas, about my ideas, and get a better sense of what they’re struggling with when it comes to being able to afford to stay in our historic town.

You see the impact of government, the cost of government, and government inaction. You see the personal impact directly when you go door-to-door and people appreciate it.

It was very difficult, tiring, time-consuming, it was also the most important thing I was able to do during this race– Making sure as many people saw you as possible and enabling them to put a face to a name.

5. What advice do you have to those who want to make a difference?

Basile: If we’re going to reform government — make it work better — lift the burden of government and protect freedom, it’s going to be at the local level. Get active at the local level, whether working on a campaign, or going to a town board meeting. Watching lots of Fox News doesn’t make you a political activist. Actually getting involved in improving your community –  that’s what makes you a real participant.