During the last week and a half of the November 2022 election cycle, District 5 Chair Wayne Pope asked us to knock on doors in our neighborhood and hand out a sheet listing recommended candidates.

Wayne researched names and street addresses of all registered Republicans in our area; mine were in the Martinez neighborhood known as “Hidden Lakes.” I’ve lived in my house since 1984 and, over the past 28 years, only met a handful of Republicans. 

To my shock and surprise, Wayne handed me a listing of 100 homes within a mile and a half of my house. In some of these homes, there was more than one Republican, so one door knock would cover several voters. If no one answered, we could leave the sheet on the edge of their front door mat.

So, I accepted the task and took my 47-pound Dalmatian “Hannah” along for the first couple of days, figuring we could both use the walk. She was a good “ice breaker” when introducing myself and my purpose for being there. But, after canvassing about 43 homes, I realized balancing Hannah’s leash on one arm and carrying my clipboard filled with forms on the other, I was about to lose both. So the last couple of outings, I went dog-less. 

Overall, every Republican household was cheerful and thanked me for doing this- however, about 90% still hadn’t voted. They wanted to wait until Election Day to cast their ballot. The few who had already voted checked out our sheet and said, “That’s almost exactly how I voted!”

They were floored when I told those who answered doors how many of us lived in the neighborhood. Although several homes have American flags waving, it never appeared to be much of a majority, and Republicans don’t seem to announce their political views.

Anyway, it took about five outings to cover around 78 individual homes, and I felt comforted knowing there were so many of us nearby who felt thought similarly.

I only got shooed away once. I was getting tired and didn’t notice the woman’s name, the lone Republican in the house, as I was speaking to her husband outside. He wasn’t pleased and asked me twice to “be on my way.” He was the only unpleasant soul I encountered, and now I have new friends who wave as Hannah and I walk by!

Patricia Mayer

President, Lamorinda Republican Women

Member, District 5 Republican Central Committee