By Julie Tomascik
Editor

If you’ve ever considered running for office, learning the ins and outs of a campaign is essential.

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) can help prepare potential candidates for a variety of campaigns—city council, school board, state legislature and even Congress—through the Campaign Seminar.

The seminar is for candidates, campaign managers, volunteers and others involved or interested in campaigns.

It is hosted once every two years to help those interested in public office better understand and prepare for campaigns and service.

“The Campaign Seminar gives a manageable, realistic overview of what potential candidates can expect before, during and after the campaign process,” Billy Howe, TFB associate director of Government Affairs, said.

TFB encourages farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals to consider running for office at local, county, state or congressional levels.

“Grassroots involvement always has been the heart of Farm Bureau, and we hope to spur that same spirit of participation in Texas’ political process and for school boards and local government positions, too,” Howe said. “Our communities, state and nation become stronger as more citizens get involved in civil service.”

The seminar has a successful history, Howe noted. It helped current State Reps. Ernest Bailes (R-Shepherd), DeWayne Burns (R-Cleburne), Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) and Glenn Rogers (R-Mineral Wells) with their elections and equipped others in campaigns for commissioner’s court, school board positions and more.

“This seminar is a great way to prepare for all that a campaign involves and to learn the key areas you need to pay attention to. Candidates who have been through our seminar say it’s a real eye opener,” Howe said. “No matter at what level, if you’re considering running for office, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment of your time and money.”

The camaign seminar will be held Sept. 27-28 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.

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 lunches and one dinner. Lodging is separate. Hotel reservations are available by contacting Betsy Simon at 800-537-8294 or bsimon@txfb.org.

To register, complete the form found at txfb.us/campaignseminar23.

Registration closes Aug. 25.

Contact Howe with questions at bhowe@txfb.org or 254-751-2208.