Your Path to Victory
Candidate Resources & Toolkit
Thinking About Running for Office?
You’re in the right place.
In Anderson County, we’re not waiting on Nashville or Washington to send us leaders. We’re building them right here at home. Running for office isn’t about climbing a political ladder. It’s about neighbors standing up for each other, parents fighting for good schools, workers demanding fair treatment, and communities saying we deserve better.
Below you’ll find the Anderson County Candidate Toolkit — your step-by-step guide to running locally — plus a collection of trusted trainings and tools from national partners like NDTC, Run for Something, and Arena.
Candidate Toolkit
Running for office can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we created the Anderson County Candidate Toolkit — a step-by-step guide built around what we call the Path to Victory.
The Path to Victory walks you through seven phases every local campaign must take:
Build Your Foundation – Talk with your family and choose the office that fits.
Learn Your District – Research the numbers and listen to the people.
Build Your Team and Network – Gather your kitchen cabinet and connect with the party.
Shape Your Campaign – Develop your message and write your plan.
Power Your Campaign – Raise money and build a budget.
Secure Your Spot – File to get on the ballot and stay compliant.
Finish Strong – Turn supporters into voters with a strong GOTV program.
The toolkit gives you the nuts and bolts (how to file, how to fundraise, how to stay compliant) and also the bigger picture of how these steps build on each other. Every campaign is different, but the pathway is the same.
Other Resources
If you’re considering a run or you’ve already decided, these trainings will help you get started:
So You Think You Want to Run? – NDTC
A beginner’s course that helps you decide whether to run, what office fits, and when to start.Running for Office: Beginner’s Guide – Run for Something
A short 11-page primer that walks through picking an office and taking the first steps.Setting Up Your Campaign: Step by Step – Run for Something
Covers the nuts and bolts of setup: appointing a treasurer, filing your paperwork, getting an EIN, and opening a campaign bank account.Guide to Hiring a Campaign Manager – Arena
Explains the role of a campaign manager, what skills to look for, and gives sample interview questions and exercises.Campaign Roles & Responsibilities – NDTC
A quick rundown of common campaign positions and what each one does, so you know what kind of help you’ll need.Thinking About Running?! – Run for Something
A curated page of resources to help you weigh the decision and take the first steps.
Messaging
A strong message helps you recruit volunteers, raise money, and connect with voters. These tools will help you shape and sharpen your story:
Obama’s 2004 DNC Keynote (video)
Still one of the clearest examples of a personal story turned into a campaign message.Crafting Your Message – NDTC
A 45-minute training on how to create a stump speech that resonates with voters.Developing Your Message – Arena Institute
An 8-page worksheet and video that guide you through seven steps to build a core message, from your personal story to a tailored FAQ.The Little Black Book – Media and Messaging – People for the American Way
A 62-page manual covering how to work with the media, including sample press releases, advisories, and op-eds.
Communications
Communications is more than a Facebook post. These resources help you integrate digital, mail, media, and events into a coherent plan:
Writing Your Communications Plan – NDTC
A 45-minute course with worksheets, templates, and sample documents to help you write a full plan.Digital 101 – NDTC
Covers how to launch a campaign website, build a Facebook page, and grow an email list.Emails 101 – Run for Something
A 5-page guide on writing compelling campaign emails that get read and raise money.Digital Calendar – Arena
A planning tool for scheduling content across email and social media platforms.Planning Your GOTV Mail Program – Arena
A guide to designing effective campaign mail that breaks through the noise.Earned Media Events – Arena
A step-by-step guide for planning press events and handling media outreach.
Field & GOTV
Campaigns are won through conversations with voters. Field work starts early and ends with a strong get-out-the-vote push.
Sample Field Plan – NDTC
A 7-page example of what a complete field plan looks like.Field Tactics – NDTC
A 60-minute course on canvassing and phone banking. Prepares you to talk to voters yourself and train volunteers to do the same.GOTV Training – Arena
A 12-page guide on how to train staff and volunteers for the final get-out-the-vote push.GOTV Plan – Arena
A 22-page comprehensive guide for structuring your campaign’s last four days.GOTV Volunteer Report – Arena
A spreadsheet to track volunteer shifts in the lead-up to Election Day, when turnout efforts are at their peak.
Fundraising
Fundraising can feel uncomfortable, but it’s the lifeblood of your campaign. These tools will help you ask with confidence and plan with purpose:
Building Your Network: Donors, Volunteers & Validators – NDTC
Shows you how to start organizing your personal and professional network into a campaign support system.Writing Your Fundraising Plan – NDTC
A step-by-step course that helps you build a detailed fundraising plan tied to your budget goals.Raising Money – NDTC
Best practices for making the ask, following up, and keeping momentum in your fundraising program. Includes templates and sample PAC lists.Making an Effective Fundraising Pitch – Run for Something
A short 3-page guide to tailoring your ask, making a strong impression, and keeping it simple.Making the Ask – NDTC
A training on how to confidently ask for contributions, volunteer time, or endorsements.
Budget
Budgeting means turning your campaign plan into numbers. These tools will help you put costs and fundraising into perspective:
Budget & Financial Compliance – NDTC
A course on building a campaign budget while making sure you’re following state and federal rules.Campaign Budget – Arena
A template that lets you plan week-by-week or month-by-month, track incoming fundraising, and monitor cash on hand.
Targeting
Every campaign needs a win number and a plan to reach it. These resources show you how:
Targeting Voters – NDTC
A 45-minute course on building voter lists for canvassing, phone banks, direct mail, and more.VoteBuilder 101 – NDTC
An introduction to the software Democrats use to manage voter contact. Walks you through setting up lists, tracking conversations, and organizing outreach.
Compliance
Tennessee has strict campaign finance laws. Learn the rules early and stay compliant throughout your campaign.
Campaign Finance 101 – Run for Something
A plain-language overview of campaign finance rules. Not legal advice, but a helpful orientation.Tennessee Registry of Election Finance Candidate Guide
The official state manual for campaign finance reporting.Anderson County Election Commission
Your first stop for filing, petitions, and ballot access questions.
Online Tools
Technology can make your campaign more efficient. Consultants can add expertise. Use these resources to choose wisely:
Online Tools for Candidates – Run for Something
A curated list of free and low-cost campaign tools.