Dirt Road Revival: How to Rebuild Rural Politics and Why Our Future Depends On It

by Chloe Maxmin, Canyon Woodward

The Democratic Party left rural America behind.

This urgent rallying cry shows how Democrats can win back and empower overlooked communities that have been pushing politics to the right--and why long-term progressive political power depends on it.

Through 2 successful elections in rural red districts that few thought could be won by a Democrat, twentysomethings Maine state senator Chloe Maxmin (D-District 13) and campaign manager Canyon Woodward saw how the Democratic Party has focused for too long on the interests of elite leaders and big donors, forcing the party to abandon the concerns of rural America--jeopardizing climate justice, racial equity, economic justice, and more. Dirt Road Revival looks at how we got here and lays out a road map for progressive campaigns in rural America to build an inclusive, robust, grassroots politics that fights for equity and justice across our country.

First, Maxmin and Woodward detail how rural America has been left behind. They explore rural healthcare, economic struggle, brain drain, aging communities, whiteness and racism, education access, broadband, Big Agriculture, and more. Drawing on their own experiences, they paint a picture of rural America today and pinpoint the strategic failures of Democrats that have caused the party to lose its rural foothold.

Next, they tell the story of their successful campaigns in the most rural county in the most rural state in the nation. In 2018, Maxmin became the only Democrat to ever win Maine House District 88 and then unseated the highest-ranking Republican in Maine --the Senate Minority Leader--in 2020, making her the youngest woman senator in Maine's history.

Finally, Maxmin and Woodward distill their experiences into concrete lessons that can be applied to rural districts across the country to build power from the state and local levels on up. They lay out a new long-term vision for Democrats to rebuild trust and win campaigns in rural America by translating progressive values to a rural context, moving beyond the failed strategies of establishment consultants and utilizing grassroots-movement organizing strategies to effectively engage moderate rural voters.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, American

200 pages, Hardcover

Published May 10, 2022

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for independents and progressives in rural areas. Matter of fact, urban and suburban campaigns could learn a lot from this book as well! Chloe and Canyon do a great job highlighting the shortcomings of the Democratic Party and presenting a way forward that forefronts passion, community wealth, and the strengths of rural areas. I found it inspiring, especially the crucial reframe that is at the heart of their book, that campaigns should be about commitment and movement-building, rather than winning. It’s easy to become disheartened if you work hard but don’t win. But you can win every day if your goal is building friendships, community, and forward movement.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, a big congrats to Canyon and Chloe. They’re clearly committed to climate resilience (👋 Divest Harvard) and rural communities, and have made a big impact.

Next, onto the book… The genesis of the book was compelling: the DNC has fully left rural communities behind, and instead decided to prioritize large, urban areas. This is a losing strategy, because you alienate large portions of the country who may in fact agree with you on key issues like climate change, better healthcare, or job training for young and old alike, which in turn, makes passing your agenda more challenging. This is especially true in state politics, where most of the political fights, and potential progress, in our nation actually happen. For this reason, I loved the first few chapters.

Thereafter… Most of the rest of the book was directed at how you campaign in rural areas. Some of this hit home - e.g., the best method is to talk to people face-to-face - but other times, the philosophy went on for too long, and was not particularly applicable to me. It would have been great to have more on what Chloe did when actually in office (there was only 1.5pg on this), and I struggled with the third-person plural “we”. But perhaps, that’s just the next book!

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this one as a result of a Goodreads Giveaway. Much of the first half of the book was devoted to the documentation of the problem in rural politics and the aftereffects associated therewith. This was followed by a call to action and justification for that call to action, however, it didn't appear as though the authors had direct experience living in a rural area, which meant their grasp of the politics associated therewith are shakey, particularly for rural areas which, while incorporated, do not have mayors, governing bodies, and so forth, like much of rural Texas, for example. Alas, the information that the title indicated should be present (i.e. the "how") was sadly lacking.

[Brianna Beswick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, especially as someone who has spent time with a couple of the people within. I wanted more on a couple points: One, how does personal charisma of a candidate play in to using innovative techniques and impact the success of a campaign? Two, more fleshing out of what a new more constant "movement" campaign cycle could look like. I also would have loved for the book to have more color/behind-the-scenes drama/inside scoops, etc.-- but can understand why someone at the beginning of her career would not want to share too much. It was fun to see a little bit inside the campaign and I am excited to continue to follow the authors' lives and careers!

[Donna Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any unaffiliated or democratic voter! Maxim and Woodward are an inspiration and give me hope for the future.

[GER · Rating 5 out of 5]

June 2025. Now this is a tent I’d sleep under! Honestly all signs point to this work that Chloe and Canyon are doing. This country is not made up only of its urban citizens, or rural voters—it’s all of us (and I’d say this even if the electoral college system wasn’t giving the rural vote a disproportionate impact). Feeling very inspired and like this book is a salve and handbook for overcoming the knee jerk intolerance that has become too sexy these days.

Also way too cool that this was written by an SC alum. This has FOP written all over it!! Love the check ins, glows and grows, the vision-action-reflect-repeat cycle, etc. Campaigning actually feels so much more approachable now that it feels in some ways like another, bigger FOP trip. FOP for state. Let’s go!

[Matthew Boak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was especially relevant to me given I'm running for office in a very rural area, so a lot of feelings and strategies resonated with me in Chloe and Canyon's messages and experiences. Living in a rural area is a lot different than the cities or suburbs, and with that, a different strategy must be employed with tactics that are specific towards the needs and wants of individuals who live there. The Democratic Party has lost a lot of support in rural areas, but if those who are running for office can gear their campaigns towards connecting with voters (all voters, not just Democrats) and identifying shared values, there is a lot of common ground that can be found. I really liked that philosophy.

I also appreciated this book because it was very realistic and practical with its advice, and applicable even to the smallest campaigns. I've now have a lot of great ideas from this book that I can employ in the next few months for my own campaign!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the most validating thing to read in the wake of the 2024 election. It breaks down how and why Trump dominated based on Dem failures and intentional neglect of rural places. It offers not only solutions but a playbook of how to smash the dynamic of our current political system and broken Democratic Party. Super inspiring!

[KimK · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. Urgent and essential for anyone who cares about progressive causes. A very easy read, yet packed with insight. Read it and then talk with me about it!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors provide a detailed account of their campaigns as progressives working to win elections in a rural red area. There was an incredible amount of time and effort expended building relationships, recruiting and training volunteers, and fine-tuning the messaging and campaign platform used to ensure victory. Their commitment to their cause is commendable -- but is it replicable? That remains to be seen.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is why youth give me hope; why our future may be determined by them. Certainly their futures.
Living in small towns in Maine - as this book is so lovingly attached to - I understand completely how it is the personal connections we have that keep us together, effect change, make forward possible in spite of (despite) the often huge differences. The authors know this to a fault and have embraced it as their thesis - one that works. Proven so.
I think it is a clear voice that one hopes the Dem party hears - but my pessimism of the party's future says, perhaps not.
Their approach to politics, to the voting public, regardless of allegiance is our only hope in a country intent on its own destruction.
*One correction, comment to a comment below: I know the town that one of the authors lives in. It is a rural, mixed politically and economically, district. The correction is that our small towns do have local governments; Maine is a home rule state empowered and governed by a local legislative body - usually selectmen and women or town council. This is clearly stated in the book. Not sure how that could be missed.

[Hildie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, credible, relevant, and educational about how to run and win elections in rural areas. Stick to your values, have one-on-one conversations with voters, and knock on thousands of doors. These are the methods to connect with citizens to hear their thoughts and concerns and then when you win, translate those concerns into helpful policy that reflects those concerns. Chloe and Canyon have developed a winning strategy for electing progressive candidates in conservative areas.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in very small towns in Iowa and Nebraska, where a lot of my classmates lived on farms, some of their parents worked in factories, and only a very small number of their families (kids of the local doctors, lawyers, and bankers) had much money—and by big city standards, even they lived in modest circumstances. Nowadays, both the small towns I lived in are part of a sea of red on those maps that Steve Kornacki shares at election time. And yet my sense is that when I was growing up a lot of the kids and adults I knew were Democrats. To be sure, little kids and even teenagers spend little time thinking or talking about politics, but that was the 1960s and early ‘70s, so political issues were inescapable, especially for young people.

What changed? Why, when state legislatures dominated by Republicans decide to gerrymander election maps, is it so easy for them draw districts dominated by rural voters who always vote Republican? Chloe Maxmin and Canyon Woodward devote the beginning of Dirt Road Revival to explain that Democrats have taken to de-emphasizing the economic issues that used to be our stock in trade and, even more problematic, talking down to or even mocking rural and working-class voters. That’s the short version of the explanation, but it’s a mighty persuasive analysis—and Maxmin and Woodward are in strong positions to make the case, as they both grew up in rural areas (Maine and western North Carolina respectively) but both also have the research skills of Harvard graduates.

Following their analysis of where the Democrats have gone wrong and why it’s so crucial for them to change their approach, Maxmin and Woodward turn to recounting how Chloe, with Canyon as her campaign manager, went about winning election first to the Maine state house of representatives and then to the state Senate from extremely rural, deep red districts. Finally, they lay out strategies that other Democratic candidates can adopt to win under similar circumstances.

As someone who, among other things, organizes Democratic volunteers in support of elections, I was most persuaded by the book’s emphasis on two related things: 1) reaching out to voters (and nonvoters) beyond those lists we get of Democrats, because, after all, unless the last election in your area was VERY close—and how many of those have there been recently?—the only way to change the outcome is to acquire new voters. And 2) not expecting to actively “persuade” people right away but to win their trust first by listening to them. If rural/working class voters don’t think Democrats care about them, talking down to them in an attempt to tell them what to think is hardly going to work. You show you care about someone by listening to them, by interacting with them as people, not as voting statistics. Chances are good that if you listen, you’ll discover pretty quickly how much you have in common, as we all care about our families, their ability to thrive, their safety, etc. This insight dovetails nicely with the data in another book I read recently, Get Out the Vote, by Donald Green and Alan Gerber, which cites studies showing that by far the most effective means to get people to the polls (they’re not looking at persuasion, just simply voting) is one-on-one conversations, especially in person. So there’s remarkable consistency there: talking to people matters in an increasingly impersonal culture.

I liked the book a lot and definitely would recommend it to any Democratic activist or candidate whose “universe” of voters includes rural and/or working class people—and which doesn’t? It’s more useful to candidates than to organizers, and I wish there had been a few more nitty-gritty details from which to learn. But it’s definitely inspirational, and I intend to hold on tight to its core message: Listen. To. Everyone. Including. Those. With. Whom. You. Think. You. Disagree.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A central thesis of this book is that the Democratic party has been leaving rural America out of its campaigns for a LONG time contributing to increasing concentrations of Republican electeds in these areas by default/neglect. I find that insightful and it makes sense when looking at presidential election results over the last 20 years and we see that blue/urban and red/rural states overlap increasingly..

regardless of whether we care about one party or another clearly for them not both to be listening to constituents across their districts is a problem that widens divisions, leaves folks behind and erases their concerns as priorities. From the blurb

"First, Maxmin and Woodward detail how rural America has been left behind. They explore rural healthcare, economic struggle, brain drain, aging communities, whiteness and racism, education access, broadband, Big Agriculture, and more. Drawing on their own experiences, they paint a picture of rural America today and pinpoint the strategic failures of Democrats that have caused the party to lose its rural foothold."

I found this most insightful as someone who isn't campaigning.
Viewing door knocking as a listening/learning tour for a future representative is of ultimate importance.

in the ensuing story of the campaigns and the section with specific tactics/strategies for success there are some transferable nuggets for campaign folks not least of which the point that campaign workers are basically seasonal workers who are overworked, underpaid and then unemployable until the next election season, so tend to have few long time experts since people get burned out and seek long term employment eventually losing knowledge..
But there are a lot of repeated stories of Chloe going face to face over and over in her area which I would have liked the authors to link to policies she changed as a result of listening when she made it to office.

national Democratic party support materials were cookie cutter, generic, and designed to focus only on Democrats rather than appealing to independent, undecided or GOP voters. Chloe rejected their support and made her own custom designs and mailings, she mentions that they rejected outside consultants about 100 times. What's certain is that having organizing experience, the ability to dedicate an immense amount of time building a large dedicated volunteer core to handle everything from material design/creation to door knocking is immensely helpful. And being willing to listen to people, repeatedly. ultimately voters elected Chloe Maxmin, who proved no one would work harder for them. They elected her regardless of and in some cases in spite of her being a Dem.

At one point after she was elected she points out that State representatives generally have other jobs and limited time to dive deeply into issues up for vote .

Overall I like the authors' grassroots approach and ultimate focus on representing the community and working for their benefit

The book gets really repetitive, especially in the second part but that's where there is more detail for those involved in campaigns.

So a 4 for winning the argument that State and National electeds need to pay more attention to rural voters, do more listening and connecting widely with constituents, and run clean campaigns. And it's written clearly. Would have been a 3 for repetitiveness...

[Leslie (updates on SG) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book initially grabbed me by highlighting the significance of the rural vote. First, because about half of the country lives in the 10 most populous states, the other half of the country gets about 4x the number of senators (Another fun fact: baby boomers make up 55% of the lawmakers at both national and state levels.). Second, the contribution of rural folks is desperately needed in discussions about climate change because they are the ones who actually grow and gather our food.

Based on their two victories in the "most rural county in the most rural state," Maxmin and Woodward offer valuable strategies for Democrats to re-engage rural voters: (1) understand that people across the political spectrum deeply distrust politics because they don't feel their voices are heard in government; (2) reach out and listen to potential voters across this spectrum, focusing on areas of agreement (e.g., what are our common hopes, dreams, fears, frustrations?); and (3) tailor your messaging to lessons from conversations with your prospective constituents (e.g., values of tradition, self-reliance, community, hard work) instead of boilerplate agendas from expensive consultants. In sum, Maxmin and Woodward aim to redefine campaigns as social movements that "build a necessary bridge between people power and electoral politics."

I am really impressed by how Maxmin's 2020 campaign not only did deep canvassing during the pandemic (while most Democrats did phonebanking), but also provided needed services to their whole community (not just to Democrats) during the first lockdown. I also like their humility: they acknowledge potential differences in political infrastructure across the country and their own privilege (e.g., flexible jobs and no family) in being able to devote their lives to campaigning.

Finally, I admire the way they fostered a sense of community within their campaign, through events like sign-painting and potlucks, and included time for feedback and emotional check-ins during their weekly staff meetings. I wish my own experiences with elections (canvassing and phonebanking) included these aspects, as well as opportunities to talk with people who were not registered Democrats. I end this review with a paragraph about campaigns as communities:

Campaigns should actively facilitate connection between individuals and communities, as well as foster a sense of being part of something bigger than oneself. If this is done well, it is not only a key to successful campaigning but also a lasting contribution to the people and communities in which the campaign organize. Every campaign should be an invitation for people to come together and find something of themselves in strangers who are drawn to a common cause.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the case study* that gives the real-life evidence for the principles laid out in Politics Is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change. Chloe Maxim and Canyon Woodward's successful efforts to build a political coalition and elect a Democrat in a district that had for decades voted Republican are an illustration that if you want to change people's minds you can't simply flood social media with angry posts targeted mainly towards those who already agree with you: you have to do the slow, time-consuming, emotionally difficult work of having face-to-face conversations with a wide swath of people. But they also show how that same work can build communities where before there was animosity; build trust between those whose previous primary exposure to one another was slinging political mud.

This book is a hopeful, actionable treatise about what amazing good in world can be accomplished if we stop thinking of our opponents as monsters and do the work to have genuine conversations. Highly recommend to anyone feeling politically powerless.

*Not literally, of course - the events happened before Politics Is for Power was published.

[Jim Heffernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an old man, and most of the books I read are written by people as old or older than me. Both Chloe and Canyon are barely in their thirties.
Chloe, the candidate, and Canyon, the campaign manager, managed to win State House and Senate elections in a rural and very red corner of Maine.
The book is divided into 7 chapters.
Chapter 1 paints a background of what's happened in rural America in the recent past. I love that they use a lot of footnotes to direct the reader to further information and maybe another slant on their viewpoints. (A total opposite of books by Mike Pompeo and Ron DiSantis).
I think chapter 2 is my favorite. It's one of the longest chapters and is devoted to detailing how the Democratic party has harmed and ignored rural America.
Chapters 3 and 4 are histories of their House and Senate elections in 2018 and 2020.
Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are about the nuts and bolts of what it takes for a Democrat to be elected in rural and Republican districts.
I'll leave you with comments from two of my heroes, Bill McKibben, the environmentalist and Robert B. Reich, the economist.
"Not many political books make you both weep a little and then stand up and cheer" Bill McKibben
"A wonderful, powerful book--and one of the most hopeful I've read about a possible future for American politics." Robert B. Reich

[Scott Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) This is really not an end-all/be-all guide for ALL Democratic candidates looking to court the rural vote. However, the story of how a Bernie-progressive managed to win some key elections in what most call "Deep Red" territory does offer some good insight for future political candidates/operatives. If nothing else to take away from this work...know the people you are representing, and actually try, to like, communicate with them as human beings. Be honest, be straightforward, know you won't win them all over, but actually try to empathize and engage on the key issues, and there is a good likelihood you will succeed.

Would be curious to see any follow-up on how effective the delivery on promises and taking action will go for the candidate, and it wouldn't surprise me if both maybe saw this as the avenue to bigger and better things in the future. The cliche in politics is that all politics is local has quite a lot of truth in it. This work demonstrates that...or at least how to localize the support of the voters and try to advocate for what the district/area requires. It does seem that this gets lost in the maelstrom of modern politics.

[Diana North · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every American who cares about democracy needs to read this book. Written by authors who lived in rural areas of their prospective states know exactly how to communicate with rural (and other) people, meaning they asked excellent questions and got honest answers first. Ms Maxmin served two years in her Maine district and went on become the youngest woman senator in her state. Mr Woodward was her campaign manager, and is a political strategist. That makes them exactly the voices we should take seriously.

Clearly, as citizens we need to get involved and that means approaching politics and policies in new ways. Beyond the vote, above the distractions of divisions from the media, there is a desperate need of this book (and others like it) to provide a way forward. After years of seeing books by politicians, after they sat through years of nonsense and making money on their "polished" stories, I'm thrilled to hear from two authors who have done the work and are sharing their wisdom.

[Websterdavid3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring piece about the power of seeing electioneering as part of a social movement, rather than a winner-take-all brawl.
Loved how Chloe as candidate, and Canyon, as campaign manager, focused on always being positive in campaigning, on using voter data to reach out to isolated seniors as COVID hit, and making campaigning a person-to-person effort. Lotsa playing in the midst of campaigning also.
Great admiration for both authors!

They walked a line on how much to criticize mainstream Dems for writing off rural voters while also appreciating the support from various campaign committees and individuals.

Their enthusiasm and heartfelt desire to listen to citizens across the political map/universe is such a contrast to the Democratic Campaign Committees pouring millions into supremacist Right Repub candidates like Doug Mastrianno. No cynicism in Chloe's elections in Maine!

I wonder if their advice is only for rural campaigns? Perhaps it might help those in cities as well?

[Kevin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended reading, irrespective of your political persuasion. A blueprint for a more healthy political environment.

Based on extensive personal experience, of both successes and failures, the authors describe a political campaign designed to build critical bridges between people power and electoral politics, with emphasis on oft forgotten rural voters. Rural communities are the bedrock of the nation. Where else does your food come from. They built this country, and finally the writers provide a roadmap to a more healthy and balanced approach to America, for and by the people, to reduce divisions, stoked by some, while promoting mutual respect. Recommended reading, irrespective of your political persuasion. Kevin Thomas Morgan

[Ranger]

Letter to the Editor Coordinators sure are mysterious.

Ironically, I found myself camped out on a dirt road shortly before this publication. There were a lot of, erm, stars...

I had some notes somewhere...

The copy I purchased appears "stolen"...

My note taking is god-awful sometimes. This is why people use highlighters, underline, and apply sticky notes. Alas! I may have been too kind to school textbooks!

I can't say as I really recognized Dana Dow before his debate of sorts with Chloe.

I give my review 0/5 stars. Have a nice day.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy through Goodreads Giveaways.

As promised in the title, this book optimistically lays out a path to rebuild American rural politics, examining where the Democratic Party has gone wrong in rural counties as well as providing grassroots ways they can reclaim rural voters. I found it to be an interesting and hopeful look at the state of America today, thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion the authors, backed up with their own experience, have helped expose one of the major failings of the Democratic party. They are very critical of how the Democratic party has handled political campaigns in rural America. Their criticism may be too harsh is some situations but I would like hear the Democratic Party's response to this book. It is so important for our democracy that the Democratic party be more present in rural America.

[Chris Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Begins with a thorough condemnation of the Democratic Party for abandoning large swathes of the country, transitions to a campaign chronicle and then goes into some tips and how-tos, which is very detailed for better (will likely be useful) and worse (it's really detailed for a casual read). Sub-200 pages, for work.

[Rebekah Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the grassroots movement and the success of it, but I wish they were able to discuss the urban-rural divide more. I think they have a unique perspective and felt like they were always acknowledging the issue but never really got into it enough. But I liked the way they structured the book through storytelling.

[MARC L'ESPERANCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read if you're interested in politics. Explaining how to campaign rurally in the USA as a Democrat, and actually winning. It's about creating a movement by listening, reconnecting at the root with voters. I was surprised when reading the acknowledgments, to find out that Chloe Maxmin is the daughter of Shoshana Zuboff - The Age Of Surveillance Capitalism.

[Kristopher Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing too ground breaking, but a really good blueprint to kick off state and local campaigns. The first section laying out the problems with the current way elections are run and the last section on how they organized their campaigns was definitely the highlight.

[Alyssa Godesky · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who recently moved to a rural New England town I found this particularly relevant, but I'd say it's a must read for democrats who have felt confused or at a loss when thinking about the politics of rural America in recent times. Inspiring and hopeful!

[Graham Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well tested and laid out methodology for how progressive politics can make headway in todays American political sphere. Highly recommended.