In 2012, Nesbitt Research performed a self-research assessment for a candidate in Florida’s 26th congressional district. Our research found that the client could be criticized for being out of touch with the concerns of average voters in South Florida. The candidate lived outside the district in the wealthy Southwest Ranches neighborhood, in a home she and her husband bought outright for $1.3 million. She hadn’t received a paycheck in years, instead making a living off of investments, which are often subject to lower taxes than the marginal rate paid by most workers. To counter this narrative, our research found that the client represented the quintessential American success story of a woman who rose from humble beginnings to become a successful small business entrepreneur. Our research enabled the client to create messaging that won her critical endorsements from groups like EMILY’s List, who called her a “truly inspiring candidate.