Politics

How to Make Your Congressman Listen to You

November 13th 2016

A series of viral tweets by former Congressional staff member Emily Ellsworth offered advice on how to get your representative to take notice and hear you out.

Ellsworth, a Salt Lake City-based writer and editor, worked for Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, and Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, for whom she acted as a liaison for people and the federal agencies, CNN reported.

Take a look at her tips for capturing your congressman or congresswoman's attention, which also includes what doesn't work.

Ellsworth also revealed how staffers can be powerful allies.

"Like a lot of people, I've been reeling from the election," Ellsworth, a registered Republican who campaigned for Hillary Clinton, told CNN. "So I thought people might like to know how you mobilize and activate individual communities to reach each member of Congress. I just thought I have this knowledge, and I did this for six years, and it's probably important for people to know what those specific actions are."

Correction: The previous headline of this story wrongly identified Ellsworth as a "Capitol Hill staff member," and a previous sub-headline identified her as a "White House staffer." Ellsworth did not work in Capitol Hill, she worked in the district offices of Reps. Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart, both of whom represent the state of Utah.

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