Thinking About Running?!

How to get off the ground, take your first steps, and set yourself up for success

Start Here:

• SETTING UP YOUR CAMPAIGN STEP-BY-STEP
• RUNNING FOR OFFICE: BEGINNER’S GUIDE – How to pick an office and how to file to get on the ballot
• STATE GUIDES – Specific guidance for running in your state

More Guides for Deciding to Run:

• HOW TO RUN FOR LOCAL OFFICE – NGPVAN
• SO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO RUN – National Democratic Training Committee (registration required)

Prepare to Run

• ALL THE TRAININGS WE KNOW ABOUT – An exhaustive database of every training we know about, searchable by demographic, state, and cost
• BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO VOLUNTEERING ON A CAMPAIGN – If you aren’t sure if you’re ready to run, volunteering on a current campaign is the best crash course
• OPPOSITION AND SELF RESEARCH – Self-vetting is one of the most important things a potential candidate should do before launching a campaign

Build Your Network:

• Use the Endorsed Candidate Directory to find RFS alumni to answer questions and help you connect with local community leaders
• HOW RFS PARTNERS HELP CANDIDATES – this spreadsheet allows the candidate or volunteer to see how a particular partner helps candidates OR what kind of help they need and which partners fit in that category
• RFS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS list of RFS partners and what they do, with links to their websites
• VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY – A list of progressive organizations for volunteering, resources, and candidate endorsements
• BUILDING YOUR NETWORK: DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, & VALIDATORS – National Democratic Training Committee (registration required)
• NCIL DATABASE OF CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES – Candidates at the local, state, and national offices running for office in 2018 and 2019 who identify as having a disability
• BLACK WOMEN IN POLITICS – Crowdsourced list of Black women running for office in 2018
• Every Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and/or Trans Woman Running for Office in 2018

Good Reads to Go Deeper

• Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself – Our book by Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something
• Campaign Boot Camp 2.0: Basic Training for Future Leaders by Christine Pelosi (2007)
• Running for Office: The Strategies, Techniques and Messages Modern Political Candidates Need to Win Elections by Ronald A. Faucheux (2002)
• The Art of the Political Campaign: How to Run for Elected Office With No Money by Brian Duewel (2013)
• The Political Campaign Desk Reference: A Guide for Campaign Managers by Michael McNamara (2012)
• How to Run for Local Office: A Complete Guide for Winning a Local Election by Robert J. Thomas (second edition, 2008)
• How to Run for Political Office and Win: Everything You Need to Know To Get Elected by Melanie Williamson (2012)
• Winning Your Election the Wellstone Way: A Comprehensive Guide for Candidates and Campaign Workers by Jeff Blodgett (2008)