By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor
Many private citizens feel a call to serve others in an official capacity, but it can be intimidating to leave the quietness of relative anonymity and campaign for public office.
To help begin that journey, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) will host a two-day strategy seminar this September for candidates, spouses and others involved or interested in the campaign process.
“This seminar is to train people who want to run for office about best management practices as far as running a campaign. Things like candidate consideration, issues, communication tactics, volunteers and election strategy will be covered,” TFB Associate Director of Government Affairs Billy Howe said. “It’s geared toward those who want to run and either their spouse or campaign manager. We also encourage anyone to attend who just wants to learn more about how campaigns function and understand the entire process better.”
A campaign training seminar program was implemented with the help of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in the 1980s.
The information, strategies, videos and training sessions are continually updated and revamped for today’s challenges and political climate.
It’s important to help find and train candidates who are well-versed in production agriculture and understand the challenges faced by rural Texans, farmers and ranchers, Howe said.
“One of our goals as an organization is to have more people in elected office that are involved in agriculture or have firsthand knowledge of agriculture,” he said. “If we can help them understand how to run an effective campaign and get elected, that meets one of our main organizational goals and provides farmers and ranchers another voice in the legislative process or local governments.”
The seminar will be held Sept. 29-30 at the TFB Conference and Training Center in Waco.
Topics covered include evaluating the candidate and electorate, selecting a campaign theme and issues, campaign structure, role of a campaign manager, budgeting, identifying voters, using polls, Election Day activities and much more.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday.
“This seminar provides all the information necessary to run a successful political campaign,” Howe said. “Many of our current elected officials have participated in the process and found it very valuable in preparing them to step into public office for the first time. No matter at what level, if you’re considering running for office, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment of your time and money.”
Registration is $100 per candidate and $100 per spouse or campaign manager attending alone.
If the spouse or campaign manager is attending with the candidate, the cost is $60. One $40 member discount per candidate is available for those with a current TFB membership.
The registration fee covers candidate materials, a mock interview video, two breakfasts and lunches and one dinner. Lodging is separate. Hotel reservations are available by contacting Betsy Simon by phone at 800.537.8294 or email at bsimon@txfb.org.
Registration closes Aug. 30. Click here to register.
Contact Howe with questions at bhowe@txfb.org or 254.751.2208.