The Dig Three Million Doors w/ Tascha Van Auken
Dec 5, 2025
Tascha Van Auken, a leading field strategist for NYC Democratic Socialists of America, shares her experiences in grassroots organizing. She discusses how Zohran Mamdani’s campaign mobilized 100,000 volunteers and knocked on three million doors. Tascha reflects on the transformation of volunteers through direct voter contact and the DSA's role in fostering a democratic culture. She also highlights key campaigns, the importance of strategic endorsements, and the need for effective governance post-victory. Her insights illuminate the power of community engagement in driving political change.
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Design A Respectful Field Culture
- Prioritize field culture: train volunteers, respect their time, and make roles democratic.
- Build routines so canvassers can learn, belong, and replicate leadership.
Control Versus Democratic Strength
- High participation makes campaigns less controllable but strengthens long-term power.
- NYC DSA accepts openness and press scrutiny as trade-offs for democratic depth.
Define Field As Direct Voter Contact
- Treat field as direct voter contact: prioritize door knocks, phone banking, and petitioning.
- Use these contacts to gather real-time qualitative feedback for strategy.
