The cycle continues. I've helped in this process to varying degrees and so many times since 1992 that I can almost do it by rote. But, I don't. Because every race and election year is different.
I got so involved in the 1996 campaign that others encouraged me to attend my state Democratic Party's campaign management "school", a three day seminar, in the summer of 1997. You can't really learn this stuff in school - during campaign cycles you have to ask questions, observe what works and what doesn't, and just do it.
In 1998, 2000, and 2002 I was de facto campaign manager for the candidates in our state legislative district. In 2004 I volunteered almost obsessively for a Democratic presidential candidate through the primaries, and for the nominee through to election day. I've done everything - letters to the editor, stuffing envelopes, printing mailings, working the phone banks, walking door-to-door, issuing press releases, putting up yard signs, putting up 4 x 8 signs [this one is really the most fun you can legally have in a campaign - there's a real art to driving steel fence posts and tying up the sign - I've almost killed volunteers in a drought year by having them drive steel posts for signs into soil as hard as concrete], implementing a campaign plan, doing opinion research. You name it, I've done it.
A long time friend who has volunteered for various candidates over the years decided a while back to run for county office in 2006. She has excellent professional qualifications and experience - this to challenge a long time republican incumbent who has not been challenged in the general election since 1994.
The local state legislative district only encompasses 10 of 20 precincts and only 15,000 of 25,000 registered voters. The remainder of the county is covered by portions of three other state legislative districts. Turnout is high - 60% up to 70% or more in a presidential election year. So, running a county wide campaign for a "down ticket" race requires more resources - to reach more voters and to get through to them amidst the clutter of the "up ticket" races.
In our state, before you can raise money you need to organize a campaign committee and file the paperwork with the county election authority. This entails getting a bank account [the candidate writes a small check to open the account], a post office box [actually, any mailing address will do, but a P.O. Box is much more secure when you have upwards of $40,000 going through it], and a campaign treasurer. The county election authority is a republican - we make sure the paperwork is pristine.
You can make mistakes in all kinds of places in a campaign, except one. Campaign finance reporting.
In our state all material circulated by a campaign must have the candidate's committee name and the disclaimer "paid for by [committee name], [treasurer's name], treasurer". My spouse was asked by the candidate to be her treasurer. I'm the de facto campaign manager until I get sacked, or somebody better comes along.
To get things going the candidate asks a few friends and relatives for contributions (there are limits to the amount!). This to have enough money to print stationary and contribution envelopes. The contribution envelopes ask for the required campaign finance disclosure information [name, address, what you do, who you work for, if you have a contractual relationship with the state greater than $500]. Our candidate also asks for phone number, e-mail address, if they'd like to volunteer, and if they'd like a yard sign.
The treasurer filed the July quarterly campaign finance report. We file the copy of the "limited activity report" for total activity under $500. We take another copy so the election authority can stamp it "received" and then keep it for the campaign records.
You get the stationary printed with the logo of the campaign [be consistent - signage will need to look the same]. Remember everything has the disclaimer, too. And if you're a Democratic candidate, everything will also have a "union bug". That means all materials produced by your campaign was produced in a union shop. Don't even contemplate thinking about not doing this.
I asked the candidate to compile a list of 400 of her friends and acquaintances. She came up with a list of 550. She then wrote a one page letter announcing her intention to run for office, stating her message, and asking for money. We printed the individually addressed letters, she signed every one in blue ink, we printed the envelopes directly [no mailing labels!], inserted the contribution envelopes, and, in the coup de grace, affixed a first class postage American flag stamp. We dumped those letters in the mail three weeks ago. The candidate has now raised $5000. More will continue to trickle in. It works every time.
The solicitation letter had the added effect of creating tremendous buzz.
The quarter closed out on September 30th. On October 15th the quarterly campaign finance report is due. By the end of the day the report copies will be in the hands of the incumbent republican.
Next, we write a much more detailed campaign plan, knowing that almost none of it will come to pass as written.