Eight Towns, Four Days, More Than 2,500 Supporters Turn Out

We just returned yesterday from our Labor Day Tour and the excitement was incredible.  Thank you to all of our volunteers who opened our Campaign Headquarters in Reno and who helped put together all of the events in Minden, Carson City, Ely, Elko, Battle Mountain, Winnemucca and Fallon.  Your support will keep Nevada strong!

The opening of our Campaign Headquarters in Reno attracted nearly 200 supporters.  During the event I spent time talking with voters about the issues important to them in Reno and Northern Nevada.  Many of the supporters left with ”Ensign for Senate” yardsigns after volunteering to make phone calls and knock on doors.

The grand opening wasn’t the only success during the tour.  In fact, it was just the beginning.  In Minden our campaign hosted a breakfast, and in Carson City we held a box-lunch rally.  Both of these events attracted more than 50 people.

Our team had a chance to tour two local businesses — GE Energy and Harley Davidson.  One of the issues I have taken a lead on in the United States Senate is high-tech policy, and while at GE I had a chance to dive into a policy discussion with General Manager Brian Palmer.  After the tour Palmer said, “We were excited to have the opportunity to share with Senator Ensign what we do here in Minden…I think the kind of work we do and the services we provide resonated with the Senator, especially given his platform and involvement in high-tech, innovation and competitiveness at the federal level.”

After these tours, we traveled to Ely where more than 250 supporters turned out to welcome us.  The volunteers — especially Jerilyn Clayton – in Ely exceeded all expectations by putting together a spectacular BBQ at the Train Depot with live music, a short (Western style) skit, and did I mention the crowd of 250?  I delivered informal remarks to the group thanking them for coming out and for their continued support.  I told them, ”This is what is great about campaigning in Nevada — meeting with people, talking to people and learning how we can make a difference together.”

In Elko we hosted a breakfast in front of the Convention Center with about 100 people and walked in the Labor Day parade.  During the parade supporters lined the streets with blue and yellow “Ensign for Senate” stickers showing their support to keep Nevada strong.

We rounded out the tour with stops in Battle Mountain, Winnemucca and Fallon.  An Ensign for Senate campaign reception in Winnemucca attracted more than 125 area residents.  (A special thanks to Bob and Martha Dolan for hosting this in their beautiful home overlooking the mountains.)  We spent Saturday afternoon at the Hearts O’ Gold Cantaloupe Festival in Fallon enjoying live music and entertainment.

In total, our Labor Day tour turned out more than 2,500 supporters in only four days.  Again, a special thanks to all of the volunteers who made this tour possible and an overwhelming success.

Posted by: John Ensign