Campaign Structure

Republican Victory Institute

Basic principles
Dont staff up too early.
Campaign structure should follow the
campaign plan.
You get what you measure, so always have
benchmarks.
Staff should be of good character, competent,
and loyal.

Campaign Structure

Types of Campaigns
Federal races
Large scale, many paid staff, paid media, consultants.

Gubernatorial races
Large scale, many paid staff, paid media, consultants.

Down-ballot statewide races

Mid-scale, few paid staff, paid media.

Campaign Structure

Types of Campaigns
State Legislative races
Small scale, few paid staff, limited paid media.

Municipal and county races

Small scale, few paid staff, limited paid media.

Ballot Initiatives
Run like a campaign, but focused on an issue.

Campaign Structure

The candidate
Two duties:
1. Ask for votes
2. Ask for money
Candidate
Campaign Manager

Campaign Structure

The candidates family

Clearly defined
roles
Serve as surrogates
Candidates Family

Campaign Manager
Campaign Structure

Campaign Manager

Coordinate the campaigns operations.

Executes the campaign strategy and plan.

Campaign Structure

Campaign Staff
Campaign Treasurer
Legally required position.
Responsible, trustworthy, and knows deadlines.

General Counsel
Advises candidate on legal matters.
Knows election law and state law.

Campaign Structure

Campaign Staff
Finance Director
The chief fundraiser who develops and executes the
campaigns finance plan.
Excellent salesman.

Campaign Structure

Campaign Staff
Communications Director
Manages all communications distributed by the
campaign maintains a consistent message.
Relationship with local media, sound political
judgment, and not a glory hound.

Digital Director
Manages all online communications: website, email
marketing, and social media.
Campaign Structure

Campaign Staff
Political Director
Manages and executes the political plan.
Highly organized and results driven.

Field Directors
Manages the voter contact program within an
assigned region in the district/state.
Highly motivated.
Campaign Structure

Campaign Staff
Volunteer Coordinator
Recruits, retains, and schedules volunteers.
Organized. Friendly. Firm.

Scheduler
Manages the candidates schedule.
Knowledgeable of local political landscape.
Organized. Proactive. Reactive.

Campaign Structure

Campaign Staff
Other campaign roles

Other campaign roles

Campaign Chairman.
Personal Aide
Data Manager.
Policy Director.
Press Secretary.

Research Director.
Coalitions Director.
EV/AB Coordinator.
Advance Coordinator.
Special Projects.

Campaign Structure

Staff Duties

Detailed job descriptions.

Daily, weekly, monthly goals.
Clear organizational structure/flow chart.
Salary/compensation.
10-15% of money raised should be spent on staff
salaries.

Campaign Structure

Costs State Legislative

Position

Monthly salary/retainer

Campaign Manager
Finance Director

$2,500 $3,000
5-10% of money raised

* Depends upon (1) the experience of each individual, (2) the competitiveness of the
race, and (3) each states contribution limits.
* Oftentimes, these operatives are recommended by a legislative caucus and work on
two or three races at one time.
* Win bonus for senior staff (i.e. Campaign Manager should get a flat-rate bonus).

Campaign Structure

Costs Congressional
Position

Monthly salary/retainer

Campaign Manager
Communications Director

$5,000 $7,500
$4,000 $5,000

Finance Director
Scheduler
Field Director

$2,000 $3,000 + 5-10%

$2,000 $3,000
$3,000 $4,000

* Depends upon (1) the experience of each individual and (2) the competitiveness of
the race.
* Win bonus for senior staff (i.e. Campaign Manager should get 1% of total budget).

Campaign Structure

Costs Senate and Gubernatorial

Position

Monthly salary/retainer

Campaign Manager
Communications Director

$8,000 $15,000
$6,000 $8,000

Finance Director
Scheduler
Field Director

$4,000 $6,000 + 5-10%

$3,000 $4,000
$4,000 $6,000

* Depends upon (1) the experience of each individual, (2) the competitiveness of the
race, and (3) contribution limits each state is different for Gubernatorial campaigns.
* Win bonus for senior staff (i.e. Campaign Manager should get 1% of total budget).

Campaign Structure

Advisory Committee Kitchen Cabinet

Made up of key stakeholders in your district or state.
These people yield influence amongst your
constituency.
You want these people to have an invested interest in
your candidate and race donated to your
campaign.
Examples: former candidates, county party officials,
party officials, business owners, election lawyers.

Campaign Structure

Consultants

Experience in your type of race.

Advice handle unexpected crises.
Chemistry enjoy being around them.
Confidence trust them.
Objectivity ALWAYS tells you the truth.
Accessible how quickly they return calls.
Share general political philosophy.
Campaign Structure

Things to Remember

Have specific job descriptions.

Volunteers can fill traditionally paid roles.
One person can fill multiple roles.
Budget no more than 10-15% for staff pay.

Campaign Structure

Questions?

Republican Victory Institute