FriedChicken
02-02-2014, 03:47 PM
I received a tip the other day that my current [Republican] state rep. is likely to not seek re-election in 2016 because they are considering running for a different office.
This made some major wheels turn in my head ever since that.
I figured it would be beneficial for the entire forum to have a discussion about what check list one might want to create in regards to laying the groundwork for the years prior to making a run for office. I'd like the discussion to be pretty generic and not specific to my particular situation so that it might be useful to more people.
I haven't decided to make a go for it yet or not but I HAVE decided to start laying the groundwork for a run just in case this information turns out to be true and I decide to enter the primary race.
First thing I have to do is finish a remodel on my house that is consuming 100% of my free time.
EDIT: This is consolidating different pieces of advice from the thread thus far and I attempted to categorize it to help with relevancy.
Choosing the office to run for:
IMO.. Your best bet would be start small, like city or county board. This allows you to both get to know your area,
but additionally it's a great way to find allies and build a network of connections. Those will be the folks that go to war (figuratively) for you daily, building support and fundraising.
Volunteer efforts:
Volunteer for another good candidate running for a state or local office.
Get to know state and local elected officials, especially the good ones.
*Note: To expand on this thought - if interested in running for any office ever, even if not currently eyeballing one in particular, work with every good candidate and become familiar with their staff and resources. These connections can only be a positive thing in the future.
This will also make you a huge asset to liberty candidates you seek to help.
Become familiar with your party: (In most locations most of us will be working through the republican party so some advice might regard that party specifically)
my 2cents:
You should definitely sort out the party stuff, usually around here whoever the party endorses is the winner. So I would get to that right away
*Be a delegate at all the state conventions. File the paperwork and always appear on the ballot instead of seeking an appointment by the chairmen. This is also a great excuse to campaign to your local area which will help with name recognition and familiarity in all future races.
*Run for Precinct Committeeman. If you do not win the election (every 4 years in Indiana) see if your state allows you to be appointed to a precinct you do not live in and seek an appointment.
*Attend every caucus you're elegiable to attend, even if the business isn't related to your precinct.
*Attend any other party event you're able to including monthly breakfasts, etc.
*Become friends with influential people in the party. Even if they do not support liberty remember to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. (inviting them over for dinner on occasion, have them meet your kids, etc.)
Becoming more involved and familiar with your community
The most important being familiarizing yourself with your district/area. If you run a great campaign and win a local seat, it does you no good if you don't know about the issues facing your constituents, or the strong points either for that matter.
my 2cents:
You should be attending nearly 110% of your local community events. Meet a lot of people and talk to them, get to know them, doesn't have to be inherently political discussions. If you leave a positive impression on them it will help your chances greatly.
Secondly, what area is the most populated/most $. You should determine this, because if you carry that area (every district has one) you will have a better chance of winning the popular vote. So I would spend a majority of my time becoming well known there/fundraising.
*Again, engage in any community event near your district you're able to.
*Join any social media page that could possibly have other members who could be votes and allies.
*Again, being a precinct committeeman provides a good "excuse" to meet all the republicans in your district (this will also make you a very active PC which might impress the elders in your party).
*Again, running for delegate gives you a great opportunity to campaign in your local area and become more aware of your community/have your community become more aware of you.
Books and other resources:
highly recommended from someone who has read a lot on campaigns: http://www.amazon.com/The-Politics-Guy-Campaign-Tips/dp/1456006029?tag=vglnkc4812-20
regarding campaign budgets check: http://followthemoney.org/
join local groups. for more advice on this: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?390181-8-Orgs-to-join-before-you-run-for-office
"How To Win A Local Election"
(Amazon book link) (http://www.amazon.com/How-Local-Election-Lawrence-Grey/dp/1590771311/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391447565&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+win+a+local+election)
When campaigning: (which is separate from laying groundwork, which is done years prior to running, campaigning is done from the moment you're an official candidate for the office)
Consider:
-Walking/driving your district, to meet every voter at their door. People remember candidates who came to them and shook their hand.
-Attend networking meetings to meet local business, community events, local media (papers, TV/radio stations) to get exposure,
-Hit senior centers, talk to them about "their issues" (healthcare, medicare, etc) in terms of liberty.
-Planning "blitz" media events (schedule a speaking function, then 72 hours before, have assistants post up flyers for half a mile around the location, and mail local residents about it).
-If there are any colleges around, speak to youth. Set up a way for young supporters to vote early or absentee, to make up for the tendency of this group to not vote.
Please continue to contribute advice and also elaborate on effective methods on how to best accomplish these tasks. Thanks!
Hope this thread is helpful to more than one person here.
This made some major wheels turn in my head ever since that.
I figured it would be beneficial for the entire forum to have a discussion about what check list one might want to create in regards to laying the groundwork for the years prior to making a run for office. I'd like the discussion to be pretty generic and not specific to my particular situation so that it might be useful to more people.
I haven't decided to make a go for it yet or not but I HAVE decided to start laying the groundwork for a run just in case this information turns out to be true and I decide to enter the primary race.
First thing I have to do is finish a remodel on my house that is consuming 100% of my free time.
EDIT: This is consolidating different pieces of advice from the thread thus far and I attempted to categorize it to help with relevancy.
Choosing the office to run for:
IMO.. Your best bet would be start small, like city or county board. This allows you to both get to know your area,
but additionally it's a great way to find allies and build a network of connections. Those will be the folks that go to war (figuratively) for you daily, building support and fundraising.
Volunteer efforts:
Volunteer for another good candidate running for a state or local office.
Get to know state and local elected officials, especially the good ones.
*Note: To expand on this thought - if interested in running for any office ever, even if not currently eyeballing one in particular, work with every good candidate and become familiar with their staff and resources. These connections can only be a positive thing in the future.
This will also make you a huge asset to liberty candidates you seek to help.
Become familiar with your party: (In most locations most of us will be working through the republican party so some advice might regard that party specifically)
my 2cents:
You should definitely sort out the party stuff, usually around here whoever the party endorses is the winner. So I would get to that right away
*Be a delegate at all the state conventions. File the paperwork and always appear on the ballot instead of seeking an appointment by the chairmen. This is also a great excuse to campaign to your local area which will help with name recognition and familiarity in all future races.
*Run for Precinct Committeeman. If you do not win the election (every 4 years in Indiana) see if your state allows you to be appointed to a precinct you do not live in and seek an appointment.
*Attend every caucus you're elegiable to attend, even if the business isn't related to your precinct.
*Attend any other party event you're able to including monthly breakfasts, etc.
*Become friends with influential people in the party. Even if they do not support liberty remember to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. (inviting them over for dinner on occasion, have them meet your kids, etc.)
Becoming more involved and familiar with your community
The most important being familiarizing yourself with your district/area. If you run a great campaign and win a local seat, it does you no good if you don't know about the issues facing your constituents, or the strong points either for that matter.
my 2cents:
You should be attending nearly 110% of your local community events. Meet a lot of people and talk to them, get to know them, doesn't have to be inherently political discussions. If you leave a positive impression on them it will help your chances greatly.
Secondly, what area is the most populated/most $. You should determine this, because if you carry that area (every district has one) you will have a better chance of winning the popular vote. So I would spend a majority of my time becoming well known there/fundraising.
*Again, engage in any community event near your district you're able to.
*Join any social media page that could possibly have other members who could be votes and allies.
*Again, being a precinct committeeman provides a good "excuse" to meet all the republicans in your district (this will also make you a very active PC which might impress the elders in your party).
*Again, running for delegate gives you a great opportunity to campaign in your local area and become more aware of your community/have your community become more aware of you.
Books and other resources:
highly recommended from someone who has read a lot on campaigns: http://www.amazon.com/The-Politics-Guy-Campaign-Tips/dp/1456006029?tag=vglnkc4812-20
regarding campaign budgets check: http://followthemoney.org/
join local groups. for more advice on this: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?390181-8-Orgs-to-join-before-you-run-for-office
"How To Win A Local Election"
(Amazon book link) (http://www.amazon.com/How-Local-Election-Lawrence-Grey/dp/1590771311/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391447565&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+win+a+local+election)
When campaigning: (which is separate from laying groundwork, which is done years prior to running, campaigning is done from the moment you're an official candidate for the office)
Consider:
-Walking/driving your district, to meet every voter at their door. People remember candidates who came to them and shook their hand.
-Attend networking meetings to meet local business, community events, local media (papers, TV/radio stations) to get exposure,
-Hit senior centers, talk to them about "their issues" (healthcare, medicare, etc) in terms of liberty.
-Planning "blitz" media events (schedule a speaking function, then 72 hours before, have assistants post up flyers for half a mile around the location, and mail local residents about it).
-If there are any colleges around, speak to youth. Set up a way for young supporters to vote early or absentee, to make up for the tendency of this group to not vote.
Please continue to contribute advice and also elaborate on effective methods on how to best accomplish these tasks. Thanks!
Hope this thread is helpful to more than one person here.