Candidate Training

Welcome to Progressive Majority's Candidate Training site!

We are here to help progressives across the country run winning campaigns. And if you're willing to do the hard work, we can give you expert support throughout your training and campaigning!

We understand that running for office can be intimidating. That's why we created this training site to help you get over your fear and anxieties and equip you with the right tools and knowledge to finally take the plunge!

Don't hesitate to contact us at runforoffice@progressivemajority.org if you have any questions. We're here to help!

Training Webinars

Take part in our online webinars taught by consultants and campaign operatives with years of experience.  These webinars cover everything from "Writing Your Campaign Plan" to "Building Donor Prospect Lists" to "Door to Door Canvassing".  Don't miss your chance to get information that will help you win your campaign.

Campaign Management

Learn the basic framework of a successful campaign like creating your campaign plan, campaign operations and hiring staff and volunteers.

Messaging and Communications

From your stump speech to direct mail, you need to have a solid campaign message to drive all your communications. This module will teach you how to communicate your story to inspire voters to vote for you.

Fundraising

The key to a successful campaign is a solid foundation. Learn how to fundraise effectively and the many ways you can fundraise.

Targeting and Voter Contact

Door-knocking, phone banking, vote goals - we cover the most fundamental ways to reach voters. And more importantly, we'll teach you how  to reach voters!

Other Resources

Check out our Run for Office FAQ to get a primer on campaigning.

Download the Candidate Handbook for more in-depth training

Webinar Calendar - All times listed are Eastern

May 9 (Wed) 3:00-4:30pm – Building Your Donor Prospect Lists

May 10 (Thu) 8:00-9:30pm – Writing Your Stump Speech
Special Guest: Jennie Blackton
Jennie Blackton has spent years teaching candidates how to deliver a successful stump speech. In the last 12 years, she has worked in all kinds of campaigns, specializing in local, city and state elections – where the real people are. She has also worked outside the United States on campaigns in countries as diverse as Malawi, Haiti and Greece, where she worked with George Papandreou, candidate for Prime Minister.

May 14 (Mon) 8:00-9:30pm – Crafting Your Message: The Message Box

May 15 (Tue) 3:00-4:30pm – Campaign Planning: Setting Benchmarks & Metrics

May 15 (Tue) 8:00-9:30pm – How & Why to Effectively Target Voters
Special Guest: Crossroads Campaigns Consultants
Founded by John Miyasato, Crossroads Campaigns Solutions is a political consulting firm providing essential services for successful political campaigns, business ventures and nonprofits. From local bids for city council to nationally-targeted senate races, Crossroads has helped dozens of campaigns across the country – from candidates and political parties to nonprofits and advocacy organizations – build the campaign needed to win on election day.

May 16 (Wed) 8:00-9:30pm – Setting up your Fundraising Systems

May 17 (Thu) 8:00-9:30pm – Writing the Best Campaign Plan

May 18 (Fri) 3:00-4:30pm – Setting up Your Fundraising Committee

May 21 (Mon) 3:00-4:30pm – Creating your Finance Plan

May 22 (Tue) 8:00-9:30pm – Targeting: Door to Door Canvassing Best Practices
Special Guest: Crossroads Campaigns

May 23 (Wed) 3:00-4:30pm – Fundraising: Setting Up Your Call Time System

NEW! - May 23 (Wed) 8:00-9:30pm – Using phones to effectively reach and target voters
Special Guest: Ryan Hawkins
President of Winding Creek Group
You would be hard pressed to find a telephone voter contact consultant with more actual campaign experience than Ryan Hawkins. Originally from Oklahoma, Ryan spent more than a decade working for Democratic candidates throughout the country as a Campaign Manager, Fundraising Director, Coordinated Field Director, Field Operative and Communications Specialist. His actual, on-the-ground experience is the driving force behind him returning "phones" to a useful campaign application rather than a too often commodity sold by the generic vendor.

May 24 (Thu) 3:00-4:30pm – Get Your Message Out: Earned Media that Works

NEW! - May 24 (Thu) 8:00-9:30pm – Best practices: Designing Literature, Website & More
Special Guest: Kevin Mack
Partner, Mack - Crounse Group
Kevin Mack is one of the most hands-on direct mail consultants in the country. A former campaign manager, fundraiser, and Executive Director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), Kevin applies his organizational and strategic background to produce winning direct mail.
Kevin's client list includes high profile candidates like U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Governor Bev Perdue, Congressman Paul Kanjorski and Congressman Mark Critz, as well as some of the nation's most respected progressive organizations like AFL-CIO, AFSCME, NEA, IAFF, Working America and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

May 30 (Wed) 3:00-4:30pm – Selecting Your Team: Roles & Responsibilities

May 30 (Wed) 8:00-9:30pm – Targeting: Reaching Key Voters by Direct Mail
Special Guest: Crossroads Campaigns

NEW! - May 31 (Wed) 8:00-9:30pm – Best Practices in Recruiting and Keeping Volunteers