CANDIDATE TRAINING

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMPACT STRATEGY

The Government Impact Strategy restores constitutional governance to municipal government boards, county commissioner boards, school boards and beyond.  For decades, local government bodies have steadily moved leftward, robbing citizens of their civil liberties and inviting Marxist and atheistic ideologies into our communities, schools, health system and more. As Founding Father John Adams observed: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”  We must rebuild our local government with citizens who adhere firmly to Scripture and the U.S. Constitution, using these as their measure for governing.

STOP! 20 TIPS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

So, you are considering a run for office…are you sure you have what it takes?  Or could your candidacy prevent a more qualified individual from winning the party nomination or the general election?  Contemplate those questions as you read through the twenty tips, which are meant to either reinforce the conviction that you are the right candidate for the job OR prevent you from making a potentially life-altering mistake.

Yes, gatekeepers are desperately needed, but campaigning is not for the faint of heart.  Perhaps, after reading these tips, you will find that being a critical assistant for another candidate or gatekeeper is a better fit for you.

10 STEPS: DEVELOP YOUR CAMPAIGN

Building a campaign from scratch can be daunting.  There are so many variables to be aware of and calculate.  Follow this 10-step guide to make sure you are covering all your bases and setting yourself up for a WIN!

Find RESOURCES for Candidates HERE.

GROUND GAME WINS ELECTIONS

Time is one asset that you cannot get more of: you must use it wisely. Grassroots candidates in particular have limited resources, so you must create a very clear target to invest your time and money on.  Door-knocking is the most effective way to reach voters because it is less expensive, establishes human contact and shows voters the real you.  This training walks you through the steps of establishing a solid ground game including obtaining and filtering voter data, identifying the highest priority voters for primary and general campaign season, creating walklists and more!

CAMPAIGN MESSAGING & NAME RECOGNITION

What value can you provide for the voters in your district?  How will you communicate this to enough voters to win the election?  In this training, you will learn the importance of showing leadership, prioritizing name recognition, various messaging strategies, diversity in messaging methods, differentiating yourself, responding properly to attacks and so much more!

CAMPAIGN FINANCE FOR CANDIDATES

The Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA) regulates political activity, regulates campaign financing, restricts campaign contributions and expenditures, and so much more.  Do not break the law while running for office: be prepared to meet all MCFA requirements and deadlines.  Late filing fees are substantial (and embarrassing)!  This training covers the basics of campaign finance for candidates and identifies the best resources for learning more.

CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING

Whether we like it or not, a successful campaign can’t be run without money.  Fundraising is the lifeblood of any campaign.  When going up against an incumbent, money is even more essential.  Learn about who to approach for funds, how to make “the ask” and various fundraising methods.

CAMPAIGN CALENDAR

Mark your calendars for the major deadlines that need to be prepared for and met by your campaign in both election and non-election years!  This training provides the campaign calendar used by the majority of candidates, but also provides specific calendars for school board and community college candidates, as well as convention-nominated candidates.  Learn how to get your name on the ballot, receive a brief overview on filing campaign finance statements, and understand the importance of dividing your voter base into two target audiences: absentee voters and in-person voters.

FORM A STRONG CAMPAIGN TEAM

Surround yourself with a team that is “smarter” than you!  This training covers in detail the various activities you and your team members must be able to handle efficiently and effectively, and how you should structure, train and communicate with your team to help them help you win! 

ELECTION RECOUNTS

What recourse does a candidate have when election results are close, and the candidate suspects the results are incorrect due to fraud or error?  This training will help you understand the costs, the request for and the conduct of an election recount.  Find Michigan Secretary of State instructions for Verifying the Validity of Ballot Markings HERE.