Podcast Summary: The Sage Steele Show

Episode 93: Scott Presler on Flipping PA & the 2026 Mission
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Sage Steele
Guest: Scott Presler (Founder, Early Vote Action; voter registration activist)

Episode Overview

In this deeply personal and strategic episode, Sage Steele sits down with Scott Presler, recognized for his grassroots work in flipping Pennsylvania for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. The conversation traverses Presler's transformative journey from dog walker to political influencer, the critical tactics that led to Republican victories, the importance of grassroots engagement, election integrity concerns, and Presler’s personal growth and health struggles. The tone is candid, optimistic, motivational, and pragmatic, with threads of humor and vulnerability throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Grassroots and Data-Driven Organizing

• Presler’s Strategic Focus on Pennsylvania
  • Pennsylvania ("the Keystone State") was the linchpin in 2024.
  • Reflecting on 2020’s narrow margin (80,000 votes) shaped his data-driven outreach.
  • Activating overlooked conservative groups: Amish, truckers, and hunters [08:41–12:00].
  • “There are 90,000 Amish in PA. … What if we reached out to get them to vote? … We got the Amish to use mail-in ballots to vote for Donald Trump.” – Scott [10:12]
• Boots on the Ground—Literally
  • Early Vote Action was founded to mobilize staff in all 67 counties, registering 50,000 new voters.
  • “You chose to go door to door, literally. What was that part like?” – Sage [08:33]
  • The approach: “Not necessarily converting Democrats, but activating unregistered conservatives.” [11:15]
• Listening as the Key to Persuasion
  • “When I went to the Amish, I shut my trap and listened: What do you want? How can I preserve your way of life?” – Scott [15:21]

2. Election Integrity and Civic Involvement

• Call to Continued Action
  • Don’t “take the foot off the gas” post-victory; 2026 and beyond require vigilance.
  • “Everyone thinks Election Day is the most important day. … But it’s really the year ahead that decides who is going to win.” – Scott [23:27]
• Actionable Steps for Everyday People [81:02]
  • Register to vote at your current address.
  • In closed primary states, register with your party to choose candidates.
  • Volunteer as precinct captains and election day workers.

3. Personal Transformation and Resilience

• Presler’s Year of Growth
  • From physical health struggles (anemia, weight swings, hospitalizations) to transformative wellness [41:44–46:31].
  • “I woke up April 4, 2025 and said, ‘Today’s the day I change my life.’ … After nine months, I’m in the best shape of my life.” – Scott [44:49]
• Dealing with Internet Hate and Past Bullying
  • Humorous, self-deprecating responses deflate trolls (“A lion doesn’t care about the opinion of sheep.”) [48:44].
  • Own your narrative: “Turn their hate into finance, more follows, more likes.” – Scott [53:53]

4. Identity, Community, and Representation

• Bridging Political and Social Divides
  • Rejecting the notion of being “the gay conservative” or boxed in by identity.
  • “I wanted to be known as the voter registration guy, not the gay conservative.” [65:34]
  • Experiences both criticism (“traitor”) and gratitude from diverse communities [70:21–73:21].
  • “My favorite is when I have these straight white dads who slide into my DMs … and say, ‘You’ve changed my mind.’” [66:41]
• On Diversity within the Conservative Movement
  • Highlighted surge in black, gay, and other minority voting for Republicans in 2024.
  • The movement “is for everyone … as long as you don’t hate America,” building a “big beautiful tent.” – Scott [68:24]

5. Cultural and Political Issues

• Women’s Sports and Safe Spaces
  • Strong opposition to men in women’s sports and spaces: “As a man, innately in my DNA, I am here to protect my kin, my family, daughters, women.” [59:17]
  • Celebration of state-level initiatives like Washington’s ballot measure for women’s spaces [60:25–61:10].
  • Solution: Grassroots action is necessary when leadership fails.
• The Need for Ongoing Political Accountability
  • Urges Republicans in office to seize their “one moment in time” and pass promised reforms, especially on election integrity [74:09–78:18].

6. Family, Legacy, and Personal Roots

• Family Influence and Connection
  • Military family values shaped Presler’s service mindset.
  • Recent genealogy revealed ancestral ties to the Pennsylvania militia of the Revolution, creating a sense of destiny in his work [31:03].
  • “This has brought my family together … My exposure, doing this, has brought a closeness back.” [32:40]
• Reflections on Parenting and Legacy
  • Desires to have children one day: “I gotta pass this hair on. ... My parents deserve a lineage.” [90:16]

7. Mentorship and Motivation

• Advice for Strugglers and the Bullied
  • Every child needs “some sort of individual success” to build confidence [52:08].
  • “Once you have that confidence, that is an unbreakable shield.” – Scott [52:22]
• Encouragement to Get Involved and Elevate Others
  • “If 330 million Americans did better, we wouldn’t be in the place that we’re in, even right now.” [81:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Listening and Empowerment:
  “I’m not here to be your savior. I’m here to show you what’s possible.” – Scott [14:04]

• On Achieving the Improbable:
  “With diligence, can-do attitude, and dare I say, persistence … you can go from the doghouse to the White House.” – Scott [85:13]

• On Self-Acceptance:
  “If I listened to everyone who wanted to change me, I wouldn’t be unique.” – Scott [03:34]

• On Internet Hate:
  “A lion doesn’t care about the opinion of sheep.” – Scott [48:44]
  “Turn their hate into finance … more follows, more likes.” – Scott [53:53]

• On the Importance of Action:
  “If Democrats wake up every morning thinking of ways to destroy our country, if Republicans put the same effort into saving her, then we would never have to worry about the fight for freedom, ever.” – Scott [80:06]

• On Living with Urgency:
  “We’re only on this earth for this one moment in time … I don’t want to wake up when I’m 90 wishing that I had done more. This is it.” – Scott [04:25]

Important Timestamps & Segments

| Timestamp | Theme/Content | |------------|----------------| | 01:23 | Introduction of Scott Presler & his role | | 05:33 | Founding of Early Vote Action, pivot to Pennsylvania | | 08:41–12:00| Amish & trucker engagement strategies | | 23:27 | Election Day 2024 experiences | | 31:03 | Family legacy and Revolutionary War ancestry | | 41:44–46:31| Health battles and transformative self-care | | 65:34 | Rejecting labels, bridging divides | | 74:09 | Accountability and GOP legislative priorities | | 85:13 | Dog walker to White House: Presler’s story | | 90:16 | Reflections on family, legacy, and having children |

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Grassroots efforts, targeted outreach, and data-driven strategy flipped Pennsylvania.
• Effective activism means listening, not just talking.
• Personal authenticity, resilience, and overcoming adversity propel effective leadership.
• The path from ordinary to extraordinary starts with taking the initiative—no role is too small.
• The work of civic engagement never ends—2026 and beyond require vigilance and action at all levels.
• The conservative movement is diversifying, breaking old stereotypes, but the work of inclusion, unity, and accountability continues.

Final Word:
Scott Presler’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of persistence, grassroots work, and authenticity. Whether registering voters at a farmers’ market or facing down personal and public challenges, his message is clear: everyone, everywhere has a role to play in shaping the future—starting right now.