In this episode of Beyond the Campaign, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with returning guest and congressional candidate Kate Barr to discuss her bold decision to switch her voter registration from Democrat to Republican in order to run for Congress in North Carolina. Kate breaks down the strategic reasoning behind this move, offering insight into the realities of voter engagement, party dynamics, and navigating a deeply gerrymandered district.

Michelle and Kate explore how authenticity, transparency, and creative campaign strategies can cut through political noise and connect with voters who feel overlooked. They also dive into the growing influence of community organizing and social media in modern political campaigns, as well as the mixed reactions Kate has received from supporters and critics alike.

Kate’s unconventional approach challenges the status quo and aims to open new pathways toward progressive representation in Congress—proving that transformative politics sometimes requires unexpected choices.

What We're Talking About...

• Kate Barr is running for Congress in North Carolina after strategically switching her party affiliation to increase her chances in a gerrymandered district.
• Party switching can be an effective strategy for candidates facing restrictive or politically skewed districts.
• Engaging unaffiliated and independent voters is crucial to winning elections in North Carolina.
• Authenticity and transparency remain essential for building trust with modern voters.
• Strong community involvement can significantly influence local and congressional election outcomes.
• Social media is now a vital tool for political campaigns, voter outreach, and narrative control.
• Successful candidates must adapt to a rapidly changing political landscape and evolving voter expectations.
• Educating voters about candidates beyond simple party labels is key to increasing informed voter participation.
• Creative and unconventional campaign strategies can disrupt traditional political norms.
• Grassroots support continues to be one of the most powerful drivers of campaign momentum and voter engagement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Reintroduction

03:53 Running as a Republican in a Democratic Context

07:01 The Strategy Behind Party Registration

10:03 Public Reactions and Support

13:00 The Importance of Authenticity in Politics

15:54 Engaging Young Voters and Community Involvement

19:15 Challenges in the Political Landscape

22:06 The Moment of Decision

25:04 The Role of Social Media in Politics

26:22 Voter Engagement Strategies

28:21 Conclusion and Future Outlook

36:18 Empowering Voter Engagement

37:15 The Importance of Research in Elections

Links Mentioned

Kate Barr's campaign website: http://www.katebarrcanwin.com/