A Must Read for Candidates

Thanks to Jeff Hewitt at Campaign Mechanic for pointing me to this article of 25 questions a potential candidate must answer before deciding to run. I would say that even if you have already started your campaign, do a check in here with these questions and find out what's missing in your plan. Really, this is a must read for campaign people, also. These are the questions that I find over and over again really trip up inexperienced candidates (with some commentary from me in parentheses):

3. How supportive is your family and what role will they play? When you say, “They are 100 percent behind me,” make sure it is a true statement. Campaigning is a grueling experience for your family, and they need to be prepared for the public scrutiny, press, inevitable attacks and, ultimately, the long-term consequences of victory or defeat. (When I hear a candidate say, "my wife is not really very enthusiastic about this and she wants me home every Wednesday and Saturday" . . . we have a problem. Actually, the same holds true for campaign staff. Campaigning is 24/7 and time has to be carved out for sanity, and relationships, but really, everyone has to be on board with the realities of campaigning.) 7. What is your “win” number? Determine the number of votes you need to win, based on a precinct-by-precinct analysis of the district. If you don’t know what it is, or what it means, you shouldn’t be running. (I understand this is difficult, but take the time to figure it out. If you get new information, adjust your number.) 9. What are the legal rules of the game? Understand all applicable election laws, including financial disclosures, petition and fi ling deadlines, and individual, corporate and PAC contribution limits. You need a campaign attorney and accountant. Your treasurer is a prominent name and public endorsement—not the one who does the counting. (Oh, my goodness gracious. This is waaaay more important than people realize. You can get yourself in very big trouble with fines and negative media attention, not to mention an extremely time consuming hassle, if you aren't paying attention to this. Hire professionals!!!) 11. How are you going to raise it? Do the math. Top 100 friends and family + your personal funds + lists + target constituencies = your fundraising. People contribute for five main reasons: The candidate, party, issues, access or social affiliation. To effectively implement any plan you will need a full-time finance director, and, for races at the federal and statewide level, a professional fundraising consultant. Regardless, the responsibility for raising funds lies with the candidate. You should be spending a minimum of four hours a day on the phone. (What I bolded speaks for itself. Hire a fundraising professional FIRST and then get on the phone and start calling for money. I am talking to YOU, the candidate. No excuses.) 23. What is your grassroots/field strategy? This is the heart of the campaign and if not executed well, can negate all other successful components. Although initially developed by the campaign manager, you will need to budget for a field director in the final months of the campaign, if not sooner, depending on the level of office. Your grassroots strategy is people-driven and should incorporate the resources and manpower of endorsing organizations as well as the party if you are the endorsed candidate. (This is going to require an experienced campaign manager and field director. If you cut corners with either of these two positions, you are shooting yourself in the foot. You'll be changing staff mid-stream because you will not be getting results. This grassroots strategy involves the internet, so get a good website, and use Facebook and Twitter for organizing. Commit to a transparent, open, grassroots government style when you are elected.)

Read the whole thing. You will be glad you did. No panicking if you are already running and have never thought through all of this. Get your campaign in order, and focus and move forward.