DECIDING TO RUN FOR
ELECTED OFFICE
Campaign Skills 101
The National Democratic Institute
INTRODUCTIONS/
GROUND RULES
• Introductions
• Ground Rules
• Ice Breaker Exercise
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI
OBJECTIVES
• To assess your
readiness to run for
office
• To identify strategies
to prepare for
leadership and
increase your visibility
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI
TOPICS
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Joining a party
Independent candidates
Rising through the ranks
Assessing readiness to run
KEY TERMS
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Political party
Independent candidate
Gender equality
Women’s wing
Networking
Photo: NDI
EXERCISE: THINKING ABOUT
RUNNING
• What do you need to think about when
thinking about running for elected
office?
Photo: NDI
JOINING A PARTY
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Gateway to political leadership
Access to training
Gain political experience
Access networks and leaders
Access funding
Influence policy-making
Photo: NDI
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
• Advantages
– Freedom to develop policy agenda
– Ability to work across parties
• Disadvantages
– No natural support base
– Need to procure own funding
– Difficult to win
RISING THROUGH THE RANKS
• Engage in projects that:
– raise your profile
– improve your skills
– improve party performance
Photo: Caroline Hubbard, NDI
INCREASING VISIBILITY
“Everything you do—being a part of a
political party, having an organization,
building a network—these are tools for
increasing the visibility of your
leadership and your cause. Use all of the
tools available to you.”
– Sonja Lokar
DEVELOPING YOUR NETWORKS
• Networks enable you to:
– Achieve goals
– Increase name recognition
– Share information and strategies
• Gather contacts from every event
• Maintain/update contact file
DEVELOPING YOUR NETWORKS
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Define your objective
Identify the people you need
Initiate contact
Follow-up
Be available
Photo: NDI
GETTING READY TO RUN
• Are you ready to run?
– Personal questions
– Personal liabilities
– Questions about party procedures
– Questions about election law and
context
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Have you considered the impact on your
personal and professional life?
• Is your family prepared and supportive?
Photo: Katie Croake, NDI
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
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Why do you want to run?
What are your priority issues?
What level of support do you have?
Are you able to raise the money
required to win?
PERSONAL LIABILITIES
• Review your records:
– Financial/business
– Public
– Personal/Family
• What could be used against you?
• How could you minimize the damage?
Photo: NDI
INCUMBENT: PERSONAL
LIABILITIES
• Has your vote on the same issue
changed over time?
• How is your attendance?
• Have you delivered on previous
campaign promises?
CANDIDATE SELECTION
PROCESS
• Who selects?
• How?
• Eligibility
Photo: NDI
ELECTORAL LAWS AND
CONTEXT
• Laws
• Context:
– What is the history?
– Is your district winnable?
– Who are your opponents?
– What is the political environment?
EXERCISE: SELF ASSESSMENT
Photo: NDI
EXERCISE: SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
DECIDING TO RUN SUMMARY
• Decide whether and which party to join
• Rise through the ranks
• Have a frank discussion with yourself –
and your family
• Review your liabilities
• Understand the selection process
• Know the electoral laws and context
• Ask yourself: Why not me?