Overall
- Be aligned with the platform
- Data is available for Republicans for your District/Race
Primary Election
- Party stays neutral
- In-Kind with Data Access to all candidates (even in contested races)
General Election
- Party should support candidates
- Party should promote state-wide candidates
- Some financial backing may be possible (depends on financial need/availability and competitiveness of race)
- In-Kind with Data Access
- In-Kind with Social Media
Secretary of state’s website has good info
- Elections portion
- Eligibility requirements (age requirements, etc.)
- Know what district(s) you are in
- What it takes to get on the ballot / signatures required, dates within to obtain
- Updated voter registration – updated to where you currently reside
- Party deadlines different from independent candidates
Campaign Finance
- Link to SOS page
- Set up your committee / statement of organization
- Recommend a separate bank account
- Some might require an EIN
Endorsements
- Choose whether or not to seek those out from influential groups/individuals in your community
Campaign Contributions
- PACs will likely approach you, usually with un-spoken strings attached
- Others will see who and what you have received in campaign finance reports so proceed with caution.
Once you’re running
- Putting together your campaign team (paid vs volunteer)
- Marketing (social media, website, email, texting, printing) and texting authorization may require an EIN be set up.
- Fundraising (how, when, who)
- You should be willing to put in some of your own $$
- How to get the voter file
- Budget plan / funds allocating
- Good professional photos
- Campaign platform / policies / goals
- Face time, forums, how to reach out to voters in your district
Once you’re elected
- Attend all the cracker barrels
- Stay engaged in community with events, etc. as much as schedule permits
- Respond to emails / phone calls from your district
- You will encounter lobbyists, be prepared to weigh their information versus all the other stuff
- At the end of the day, you are beholden to the people in your district