1. Running for the Legislature

2. Run for the Legislature
Early Preparation is the key
Early decisions decide the race
Know thyself
Know the district

3. Basics- Personal Why Run…issue, community, ego? Family Job “closet”
Cost
Can you fundraise/will you fundraise
Friends/volunteers
Extrovert

4. Basics- Political Incumbent? Democrat or Republican district
Legislative leaders
Local leaders
Party leaders
Geography (walk neighborhoods?)

5. Research Consultant Polling Mail Radio TV RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH
Past results
Which areas vote?
Local issues
Polling
Mail
Radio TV

6. 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?

7. Early stuff Kick off Signs Walk cards Website/email Meet with press
Fundraising

8. Press They Don’t care Newspapers big and small Radio Internet TV Blogs

9. Running for Office

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

13. 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

14. typical

15. 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

16. Party Support Access to lobbyists money Instant credibility
Strategies
Party Support
Access to lobbyists money
Instant credibility
Ready made system
Intimidating
Easier to raise money

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

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

19. 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?

20. So Much More…