Refining the Roots: What “Grassroots” Really Means in Politics
- gracielacuster
- Aug 19
- 2 min read
What is “Grassroots”?
In political circles, "grassroots" is more than a buzzword—it’s the foundation of genuine voter engagement. It involves mobilizing people at the local level, from door-to-door outreach to recruiting volunteers, organizing events, and building personal connections between candidates and communities.
As the former Grassroots Coordinator for Hispanic Republicans of Texas, I was deeply involved in this work—recruiting volunteers, planning events, and supporting Hispanic Republican candidates across the state. But my understanding of grassroots began long before that.
My Grassroots Beginnings: College Republicans
My grassroots journey started during college when I served as Communications Director for the Abilene Christian University (ACU) College Republicans. I launched the club’s Instagram account—growing it organically to over 500 followers—and promoted conservative values on campus through digital and in-person engagement.
ACU College Republicans had booths at student organization fairs, handed out materials, and organized speaker events. One of the highlights was inviting Texas Representatives Dustin Burrows and Stan Lambert to campus. These events allowed students to engage directly with elected officials.
Bringing Government Closer to the People
From 2017 to today, I’ve attended dozens of local Republican events hosted by County GOPs, Republican Women’s Clubs, and Young Republican chapters. A common feature? Inviting elected officials to speak.
These events connect constituents with their representatives, providing insight into legislation, district boundaries, and committee work. Not everyone can make it to Austin or Washington, D.C.—grassroots efforts help bridge that gap.
Volunteers: The Lifeblood of the Movement
Grassroots thrives on volunteers. Whether they’re knocking on doors, phone banking, poll greeting, or helping at rallies—volunteers are the engine behind every successful political effort. Local parties, clubs, and PACs depend on dedicated volunteers to expand their reach and impact.
Looking to grow your volunteer base?
In sum, “Grassroots” to me is the volunteer effort of College Republicans, County Parties, Political Action Committees, and Clubs to grow the Republican Party via block walking, phone banking, poll greeting, event organization, and voter registration.
“Grassroots” isn’t just a role I held—it’s the lens through which I view political engagement. It’s about people-powered movements, from college campuses to county headquarters. The future of the party—and of civic involvement—starts here.
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