Running for the Legislature

Run for the Legislature

Early Preparation is the key

–Early decisions decide the race–Know thyself–Know the district

Basics- Personal

• Why Run…issue, community, ego?• Family• Job• “closet”• Cost• Can you fundraise/will you fundraise• Friends/volunteers• Extrovert

Basics- Political

• Incumbent?• Democrat or Republican district• Legislative leaders• Local leaders• Party leaders• Geography (walk neighborhoods?)

Research

• Consultant– RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH– Past results– Which areas vote?– Local issues

• Polling• Mail• Radio• TV

What type of campaign?

• Grassroots?• Positive, negative• Are you a good speaker?• In shape?• Self finance?• Normal campaign?• Meet with leaders/friends gauge support• Strengths/weaknesses?

Early stuff

• Kick off• Signs• Walk cards• Website/email• Meet with press• Fundraising• Fundraising• Fundraising

Press

• They Don’t care• Newspapers big and small• Radio • Internet• TV• Blogs• email

Running for Office

The Grind

• Rumor mills• Not much attention• Patches of no money coming in• Mistakes will be made• A lot of doors and phone calls

Strategies

• Grassroots– Door to Door– Phone Calls– Email– Personal notes– Long time needed to achieve results– Develops the most loyalty– Anyone can do it– Few actually do it

typical

Strategies• Personal Money– Quick name ID– Intimidating– It is personal money– Voter resentment– Not the same “depth” of support– More open to attack that works

Strategies

• Party Support–Access to lobbyists money–Instant credibility–Ready made system–Intimidating–Easier to raise money

Fundraising

• Most difficult for most• What separates candidates• Get used to NO• Ask over and over• Key to planning and strategy• INTEREST GROUPS

GOTV

• Remind not introduce• Absentee Ballots• Early Voting• Voter Follow up • Build your own “pool”• Volunteers

Other Stuff

• If not a good speaker?• How to get not too extreme in

getting noticed• How to talk to voters not at them• How to treat opposition• How to react when attacked• Forums• How to keep up the pace?

So Much More…