How to Contact our
Members of Congress

When I call, who will answer the phone?

​

• Senator Scott's offices: You will very likely get voice-mail when calling the DC office, so have your message summarized and ready to go. You have a better chance of speaking to a live staffer if you call the district office here in Jacksonville. It's still worth calling both and leaving a message.

• Representative Rutherford's offices: To give credit where it's due, you have a very high chance of speaking to a live staffer both in DC and here at the Jacksonville district office.

• Senator Ashley Moody: As of February 2025, her DC phone number goes straight to voicemail, and her district phone number refers callers to the DC number. Leave a message.

​

What should I say? (if using a script)

​

• If you get voice-mail: State that you are a constituent and give your county and/or Zip Code and your name. State that you are calling with a comment for the MOC. Use the suggested script provided in our Action Alert (all of IM action alerts provide a script) and go ahead and leave that as your message. If you or family/friends will be personally affected by the issue you're calling about, provide a one sentence explainer if comfortable. If you want a staffer to follow up with you, leave your name and email address or phone number.

​

• If talking with a live staffer: State that you are a constituent calling with a comment for the MOC. Give your name and your zip code or county. You can then read the script directly to the staffer and personalize it however you like. Don't worry that the staffer will ask you to answer any questions about your viewpoint. Their job is just to record your opinion and ask if you'd like any follow-up from the MOC. Follow-up from the MOC will require giving out your email or mailing address, and you should at least receive a form letter/email in reply.

​

I'd rather not use a script.

What's a good framework for calls?

​

• Establish you are a constituent, with county, zip code and name.

• Say what you're calling about--if calling about a specific bill, have the bill number if possible (HB or SB or possibly HR or SR)

• Say if you're for it or against it

• Briefly say why

• If you or a family member is personally affected by the legislation, briefly describe that situation

• Ask for a response from the MOC

​

Suggestions when calling:

​

• Do a practice run. If you're nervous, run through what you'd like to say a few times before dialing.

• Be polite. The person answering the phone is a low level staffer who is just doing their job.

• Be concise. Pick one issue (two at most) to focus on.

• Ask for a response from the MOC - that requires them to be accountable.

• Be ambiguous. Not about your views regarding the issue you're calling about, but let them wonder what your political leanings are. If you are obviously calling as a democrat, your message might not have as much leverage. Try to speak as though you might be a NPA/republican who has a problem with this ONE issue. Avoid polarizing words like misinformation. (Use “rumor” instead.)