Don't Make the Wrong Move with Your Independent Expenditure Campaign
Many people think about creating an independent expenditure campaign (IE campaign), but very few will actually take the time to do it. If you don't know a lot about IE’s, check out our IE FAQ here. IE campaigns should work to accomplish two goals:
Do no harm (to your candidate). A poorly run IE campaign can hurt more than it helps. Make sure you are working with attorneys and a professional team to understand the right message and applicable laws to your campaign.
Do something that benefits your desired outcome. You don’t have to run a duplication of the candidate’s campaign to be successful. The best IE campaigns have a very specific goal and follow through on executing a plan that focuses on their goal.
Here are 6 basic steps we follow to help accomplish those two big goals in an IE campaign:
- Be legal. The first step to building a successful campaign is to get good legal help. Yes, your brother may be an attorney, but does he really understand election law and independent expenditures? Be sure you are thorough in your search so you don’t bump into any legal matters that may hurt you further down the line.
- Don’t duplicate efforts. Next, I ask what I can do that the candidate’s campaign won't do or can't accomplish. This is a critical step. Many IE campaigns do exactly what the campaign does, meaning you’re spending money on problems that have – ostensibly at least – been dealt with. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you need to be cautious about directing resources on what the campaign can’t do, not what it can.
- Build a coalition. Next, I set out to find like-minded individuals and groups who share my goal and can help me build a coalition. This means finding folks who may have resources to contribute towards the race but might have not thought through the logistics.
- Work with other independent expenditures. Sometimes other like-minded groups have already thought out the execution and will do their own thing. In most places, it is legal for groups to coordinate with each other, just not with the candidate’s campaign. Getting groups to share assets (polling research, photos, etc.) can be a huge benefit and cost-saver.
- Start early. A real independent expenditure effort takes time and usually more time than you think. Don’t think you can put it all together in a couple weeks and make a real difference.
- Be prepared for funding to come late. No matter how well thought out your plan is, money will come in late. It always does. Be prepared for that.
Every season we see campaigns at all levels that can't make it across the finish line. That is where a well-run and focused independent expenditure can really make difference.
Have questions about IE campaigns, and what it takes to build a good independent expenditure campaign? Drop us a line.