Reply #3: Schools, schools, schools [View All]

Tout your PTA experience, get the state teachers union to endorse you, and the put "teacher approved" on all your signs.

Also hit the small business thing hard--put that in your literature. .

You might want to think of a city sponsored small business initiative to increase small business investment in base areas--property tax free zones, preferred city contracts if a business is located in an area that needs investment, or even a SBA style loan program.

I like the sunshine ordinance, especially if there have been some well publicized issues.

Name recognition: Signs, door hangings in dem areas (if you can afford them) mailings, and door to door campaigning. If the state or local party are doing phone banks, make sure your name gets mentioned when they call folks in your city.
Even though the race is non partisan, turnout will be key. Remember--there ain't no such thing as a nonpartisan race. Work with the local groups to get out your vote on election day--work with chuches, unions, and , help them get their people out to vote--start by having your friends provide their members with transportation on election day, even a breakfast at the union hall/church/etc. can be helpful.