79 JFK AND BEYOND

Campaign Advice

TRYING YOUR HAND AT FUNDRAISING? Looking to land that first campaign job? Maybe you’re a candidate yourself this election season? Take a few minutes and read a little campaign advice from some of our talented alumni.

Ryan Friedrichs MPP 2003 • To successfully reach the elusive young voter, view the demographic as a series of cultures, instead of a monolith based on age. Remember that 63 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds do not attend a four-year college. Stick close to the motto “local face — local message” and use personal contact methods (i.e., door-to-door and volunteer phone banks), instead of mass media outreach.

Brant Maller MCRP 1982 • I’ve found fundraising to be an excellent way to develop close working relationships with top elected officials. Fundraising is perceived to be among the most difficult jobs in politics, but, as our system is presently constituted, among the most necessary for just about anyone running for high public office. Politicians need broad exposure through the media — and media time is costly. But few candidates have the economic wherewithal and the willingness to finance the millions of dollars (in some cases, tens of millions of dollars) for a successful campaign out of their own pockets.

Kathryn Bloomberg S&L 1990 • Always ask for their vote. People want to know you want the job passionately, and that you need them. Never, never argue.

Dave Kapell S&L 2002, MPA 2003 • Run for a reason, and stick
to it. Don’t be afraid of losing for what you believe in.

Henry DeSio MPA 2001 • Hire a professional to help create a campaign plan before you run. Then hire a good campaign manager and let that person run the campaign. Don’t mortgage the house or take out loans. Raising money is the first test of your campaign’s viability.

Danny Sebright MPA 2001 • Working on a political campaign is eye-opening, enlightening, and enriching. It’s not going to be what you think — it’s going to be a lot more. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see firsthand how American democracy works. Having a personal relationship with the candidate and others
in his inner circle is critical.

Paul Scapicchio MPA 2003 • Get your hands dirty. Many people feel that they only want to participate if they’re making policy or have a snappy title. Campaigns need people willing to do just about anything, including holding signs, phone banking, writing press releases, etc. It’s generally the people willing to do the mundane work who eventually rise to the top of the organizational chart and lead the campaign.

Rachel Kaprielian MPA 2003 • Again and again I’m asked: What was your greatest detriment to running? Was it hard to raise money? Was the organization really hard to coalesce? Were you lacking in institutional support? My answer: While all of the above can be real challenges, a campaign’s toughest challenge is fear. And fear is the most manageable element if you stay focused and steadfastly believe in what you are trying to accomplish. Remember your strengths, remember the why of your candidacy, and, most of all, remember that discipline can take a campaign further than you thought possible.

Bill McCamley MPP 2003 • Young candidates should turn youth into an advantage. Voters want reformers, and they may like more neutral people without a lot of political connections. Use the diversity argument to make the case for you if everyone else is older. — AC