Think American: Effective Advocacy

President-elect Donald J. Trump has completed the most impressive political comeback in history. He achieved that goal by focusing on what mattered most to most of us. We, a majority of voters who voted, want a stronger economy, secure borders, and less crime.

We the People have determined that Republicans will have majority control of both chambers of Congress for the next two years and the White House for the next four. President Trump is acting quickly to nominate members of his pending cabinet who will be promptly confirmed by the US Senate. The political winds are at their backs, they have a mandate, and they can now deliver on the campaign promises that put them in that rare position of unified strength.

Their one concern should be that no one can stop them like they can. Democrats can and will slow down the process. The press can and will ask tough questions and levy outright criticism. But only Republicans can prevent Republicans from delivering on those Republican campaign promises.

That’s where We the People can make a difference by holding three elected officials accountable for their votes. If you are a US citizen living in one of the fifty states, then you have one US Representative and two US Senators who represent you based on where you live.

You might also have one or more favorites who don’t actually represent you but do align with your positions and who might communicate in ways that you find more appealing than others. Of course, there are also those who you might dislike because of their positions or the ways that they communicate.

Having served in the legislative minor leagues, the Colorado General Assembly, I learned that my voting record was the most important measure when it came to being accountable to the constituents who I represented. I learned that most of the criticism that was directed at me came from outside that district. Those critics generally disagreed with me and the majority of people who I represented.

Anyone could complain about me but maintaining a conservative voting record that was pleasing to the majority of voters who elected me is what actually mattered. Similarly, kind words from people who couldn’t vote for me were nice to hear, but a happy constituent is precious as gold.

Whether you are conservative, moderate, or liberal, consider how your views align with those of your one US Representative and your two US Senators. Whether or not you voted for them, they work for you and the other constituents who live in your Congressional District or state. None of the other 532 voting members of Congress represent you based on where you live. Accountability starts with knowing who your three members of Congress are, being aware of how they vote and what statements they make, and then, how you respond to them.

If you were part of the diverse coalition of voters who supported Donald J. Trump, then I would encourage you to evaluate each vote or position statement made by your three members of Congress and consider whether their words and actions help to fulfill those Republican campaign promises. Are you three members of Congress helping to achieve a stronger economy, secure our borders, and decrease crime? Or might one or more of you three be working to prevent achievement of those goals? 

Regardless of how they are performing, consider contacting each of those three members to offer thanks to those who are doing well and constructive criticism to those who aren’t. We humans are naturally gifted at letting people know when we are not happy. Conversely, it often requires effort to let others know when we are actually happy.

A political mentor taught me decades ago that offering thanks or sharing good news when an elected official does something right is the single most effective way to be more effective in your advocacy efforts. It works because few people actually do it.

Another political mentor taught me that legislators respond to the same two stimuli as did Pavlov’s dog: pleasure and pain. Remember to use both because using only one won’t lead to a positive outcome. Offer kind words when merited and constructive criticism when deserved. Never, ever, threaten. Yes, they work for you but try to be a boss who they can be proud to work for rather than one they hope to never hear from.

We the People shocked Washington, DC on Election Day. We can continue that momentum by advocating effectively in support of what matters most to most of us: a stronger economy, secure borders, and less crime. When asked in 2026 whether they’re better off than they were in 2024, we want every American to shout “Yes, I am!” Working together, we can be.

To your continued success.

About the author: Chris Holbert served as a Republican Colorado State Representative (2011-2014) and Colorado State Senator (2015-2022). During his time in the Colorado Senate, he was elected as Senate Majority Leader (2017-2018) and was twice elected unanimously as Senate Minority Leader (2019-2020; 2021-2022). Subject to term limits, Chris moved with his wife to Florida in 2022.