Description: Whether you’re preparing to run for office or step into a key volunteer role, this six-hour, hands-on training will give you the skills, strategies, and confidence to lead a winning state or local campaign. Participants will dive deep into every critical element of modern campaigning, including:
Field Strategy – Master the art of direct voter contact and build a data-driven plan to reach your win number.
Communications – Craft a powerful message, navigate messaging tools, and leverage social platforms to amplify your voice.
Finance – Learn the essentials of campaign compliance and fundraising to power your campaign from start to finish.
Campaign Best Practices – From scheduling and safety to building your team and executing a strong Get Out the Vote (GOTV) plan, you’ll gain the tools to keep your campaign organized, energized, and on track.
By the end of this training, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how campaigns work, the confidence to lead in any role, and the practical tools to turn political ambition into electoral success.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to:
Build a field plan for direct voter contact with specific metrics, data points, and achievable goals
Define various voter universes and determine how the field plan will reach the broad electorate
Create a communications plan to align with progressive and personal values, uplift the needs of working people and their communities, and mobilize the electorate for the candidate
Initiate plans for a comprehensive campaign plan, integrating the core elements of a campaign with a general timeline
Draft a campaign budget and finance plan as well as identify and follow compliance law and best practices
Identify best practices in fundraising as well as at least 3 methods of effective fundraising
Practice skill building in areas such as door knocking, asking for donations, and communicating an elevator pitch with core messages
Discuss, practice, and consider best practices for campaign scheduling, candidate and volunteer safety, Get Out the Vote activities, and steps to building an effective campaign team
Target Audience:
Anyone interested in running for local or state office or helping a candidate run for office, including incumbents or previous candidates
Future legislative candidates are also welcome to attend this training, if they plan to get an early start on writing a legislative campaign plan.
Timing:
This training is offered every winter, typically in December, January, and early February, so candidates and their teams have a plan for the campaign they are currently running.
Contact for Questions: Ben@WisconsinProgress.org