Grassroots Campaign School

Candidates, staff learn to run effective election campaigns

Wyoming political candidates who support open, accountable government and policies that serve all Wyoming residents, particularly working families, and who want to campaign for election by reaching out personally to voters should consider attending the Equality State Policy Center’s biennial Grassroots Campaign School. 

The purpose of the nonpartisan school is to teach a well-planned, organized style of campaigning focused on connecting directly with constituents for the office candidates seek. The ESPC believes that a candidate who campaigns door-to-door not only will connect better with constituents but will hear about the issues most important to the people the candidate hopes to serve.

The 2012 school was conducted by two trainers from M&R Strategies, Inc., a nationally-known firm based in Oregon whose clients include progressive candidates at all levels of government as well as grassroots organizations. Candidates learned to develop a campaign plan, set a budget, raise funds, recruit volunteers, go door-to-door, and create other elements of a winning campaign.

The ESPC encourages candidates to bring to the school their campaign manager or other volunteers who will be assisting them in their campaigns. People who believe they will enter future elections also are encouraged to sign up for the next school.