In 2010, DFA starting using the slogan "Primaries Matter", but they used this to promote the voting of specific candidates rather than simply encouraging voters to vote in what is called "the primaries". In particular, they were trying to tell voters to "not just vote Democrat", but to investigate the candidates' stated positions more closely. In the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, DFA endorsed Joe Sestak, who switched to the Democratic Party in April 2009 after 44 years as an elected Republican. DFA also endorsed Elaine Marshall in North Carolina's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, while her opponent had been endorsed by "The Democratic Party" officially. DFA most strongly campaigned that year for Bill Halter for of Arkansas.