A political campaign is an organized effort to elect a candidate or ballot initiative. Elections are crucial in a representative democracy like the United States, because they allow people to choose their leaders and thereby influence public policy and endow elected officials with legitimacy. Every two years (a campaign cycle), thousands of campaigns are conducted nationwide to fill positions such as 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 U.S. Senators; hundreds of state governors, auditors, attorneys general, treasurers, and secretaries of state; and tens of thousands of city councilmembers, mayors, and other local elected officials.
The most successful candidates focus on listening to voters and creating a clear message about their ideas for the future. During a campaign, a candidate or their supporters will typically visit many households to discuss public policy issues with voters. A typical political campaign will also have a set of talking points, which are the policy positions that the candidate hopes to promote if elected.
In addition to voter outreach and data analysis, modern campaigns also need to be able to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion and diversity. This includes having a clear and comprehensive plan for engaging voters from different backgrounds, capturing voting intention during canvassing, prioritizing stronghold areas, and conducting hiring practices that embrace equity and inclusion. Having a strong and diverse team is also essential to a winning campaign. In this way, a campaign can ensure that its message and efforts reach the most people possible.