The political landscape has undergone a seismic transformation over the past three decades, and few understand this evolution better than Eric Lems. From his early days as a White House intern during the Clinton administration to his current role as Executive Director of the Maricopa County Democratic Party, Lems offers a rare perspective on how technology has revolutionized campaign strategy.

Remember when campaigns meant phone banks with physical landlines and CNN dominated the 24-hour news cycle? Lems walks us through the remarkable journey from those analog days to our current era of sophisticated data analytics and targeted digital media. He explains how Howard Dean pioneered online fundraising, Obama mastered internet organizing, and Trump revolutionized digital targeting—creating the integrated approach campaigns use today.

What makes Maricopa County so politically significant? As the fourth largest county in America and second largest voting jurisdiction, Maricopa stands alone among major metropolitan areas as a true battleground. With nearly 5 million residents spread across diverse communities ranging from wealthy gated neighborhoods to farmlands, winning here is essential to winning Arizona. Lems reveals how migration patterns from the Midwest, Northeast, and California have gradually transformed the state from reliably Republican to competitively purple.

Drawing from his Fortune 500 background at Microsoft and SAP, Lems shares how corporate leadership skills translate to political strategy—and crucially, which corporate habits to leave behind. He emphasizes that trust forms the foundation of effective campaign teams, creating an environment where candidates can be vulnerable and weather disagreements. The most valuable lesson from his 2016 Clinton campaign experience? "Never take victory for granted and keep your foot on the gas until you cross the finish line."

As concerns about election integrity dominate political discourse, Lems provides reassurance by revealing the bipartisan verification process that occurs before every election and the dedicated civil servants who ensure fair results regardless of personal political views. He warns that the real threats come through legislative efforts to restrict voting access—making vigilance and participation essential to preserving our democratic system.

Ready to get involved or learn more about local organizing? Visit maricopadems.org and discover how you can make a difference in one of America's most consequential political battlegrounds.

Support the show

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter https://wwwJackHopkinsNow.com