DECIDING TO RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE Campaign Skills 101

The National Democratic Institute

Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES • • • Introductions Ground Rules Ice Breaker Exercise

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     Joining a party Independent candidates Rising through the ranks Assessing readiness to run

KEY TERMS • • • • • 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 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 • • • • • 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 • • • • 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 Photo: NDI What could be used against you?

How could you minimize the damage?

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?