Campaign Strategy Articles & Guides for Candidates Running for Office - Field Organizing, Fundraising, GOTV & More
Running for office? Start here. Political campaign strategy, case studies, and articles from nearly 20 years on the trail.
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Podcast Episodes
Case Studies
Real examples of how strategy changes when data is better, and how to make progress when it isn’t.
What Becomes Possible With Better Data
A practical case study showing how richer data changes targeting, assumptions, and the strategic options available.
Working With the Data You Have
A case study on building usable voter universes and campaign decisions when the voter file is limited or messy.
Guides
In-depth tutorials designed to be used as operating manuals.
Political Campaign Checklist for First-Time Candidates
Every step of a campaign in the order you need to do them, from your first conversation before you announce through Election Day.
Campaign Plan Outline for Political Candidates
The seven elements every campaign plan needs, built on project management principles. Covers goals, scope, stakeholders, budget, and a risk register.
Field Organizing: A Complete Guide
A complete walkthrough of how real field programs are built: volunteer recruitment, doors, phones, training, retention, and GOTV.
Fundraising: How to Build a Winning Finance Program
Finance plans, donor prospecting, building a Finance Committee, and making the ask. A complete guide to raising money for your campaign.
Voter File Analysis: How to Score and Target Your Universe
Party affinity scoring, turnout propensity, and building a target universe of swing voters and GOTV targets. A practical guide with Excel formulas included.
Volunteer Sign-up Sheets for Political Campaigns
Free templates I’ve used for years. Designed to collect clean data, track commitments, and convert interest into action.
Want to Win an Election? Here’s the Blueprint!
A clean overview of what most campaigns skip: planning, targeting, budget discipline, and execution.
Blogs
Why I Built Campaign Compass
Summer Volunteer Management for Political Campaigns
To Run or Not to Run? Is Running for Office Right for You?
“It’s All in My Head” Is Not a Campaign Plan
Can a Moderate Win in Today’s Political Climate?
Advantage Walk Training Tool
7 Books for Strategic Thought