Commonwealthy

  Time, money, and people- the three essentials of any political campaign, regardless of size or location. If you are thinking about running for local office, then this is an important podcast just for you! Learn how to make the most of the time, money, and people that you have in order to win your election. I am excited about this podcast today because I know that it will give you a great base to launch your political campaign for local office. If you are going to invest a half hour in your future election today, then make it this podcast! I know what a difference it can make for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Where to start- what you can be doing even if you haven’t committed to running in a local election yet How going door to door can work for you even beforehand- how you can go door to door to talk to voters before you even announce you are running Why you need to raise money for your political campaign- why you should fundraise even if you can afford to fund the run for office yourself What to do if you are nervous about asking- how to grow in your assertiveness in order to be able to be a successful candidate for office Why you need to talk to your family before you commit to running – why you need to have a realistic conversation with your family, and business partners How to get your spouse and family involved– why it is important to get the important people in your life involved in your political campaign Why you should consider having a volunteer take charge of an area- how to best utilize volunteers in order to make your time most efficient Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

  Learning how to do research for a political campaign is a must if you want to run for local office. Whether you are running a campaign by yourself or on a slate, knowing how to research your opponent or opponents and yourself can make all of the difference between winning and losing. I am excited to cover this topic with you today because I know the potential impact on your campaign of learning how to do research and what do to with information you find. It can help you shape the messaging for your political campaign as well as know what to expect from your opponent. I want to make sure that you are able to use your research to help you win your election! In this episode, you’ll learn: How to create a political message quadrant- what it is and how it can help your campaign Why you need to research yourself- why you should take the time to look into what is out there about you before you start your campaign How to research your opponent- where to start your research and what types of things to look for that will help your political campaign What to do with the information you find- how to use your research to help strategize for your political campaign and create your messaging Why the dynamics of your town will impact your research – why you need to know how your town will react to different information before you use it How going door to door can add to your research – how door to door campaigning can have an impact on your research and political campaign How to take polls even if you can’t afford to- how to use creative polling methods in order to do research for a political campaign Resources: Jeremy Porter Communications: Political Message Quadrant Political Message Quadrant Example: What We Say About Us What We Say About Them   What They Say About Us What They Say About Themselves   Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

  Have you thought about running for office on a slate? If you have been thinking about running for your local township board, county board or school board, then you should consider if running on a slate would be the best option for you. Today we are going to cover the pros and cons of running on a slate, with a PAC, and as an individual. I am excited to cover this topic today because I know how exciting and impactful running for office on a slate can be for local candidates. Running for local office is always hard work and it can be very lonely if you are all by yourself. But a slate can help out with those problems- if it is the right slate for you. Today I am going to help you decide whether or not running on slate is right for your local political campaign. In this episode, you’ll learn: What you need to know before joining a slate- why you should take the time to research the other candidates on the potential slate before joining How to legally set up a slate- what you need to know to make sure that the slate’s filings are done correctly the first time Why you might consider a PAC- what are the pros and cons of having your political campaign supported by a PAC How raising your own money outside of the slate might help- why you might consider doing your own fundraising outside of the slate What questions to ask before you join- and why you want to get everything you agree to in writing ahead of time Why you need to take a look at your own personality first- what questions you need to ask yourself to make sure you are a good fit for running with others How strategy plays into slates- and what interesting situations you might find yourself in if you decide to run for office on a slate Why staying positive with your messaging matters- why you need to make sure that the slate’s messaging stays positive at all times Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

There is so much that can be done on the activism side of politics to help make lasting change in your local community. Today on the Commonwealthy podcast we are going to be talking about seven types of political capacities that the right side needs to be involved with in order to bring our vision of a free market limited government to reality. I am excited to talk to you today about political capacities because I know that not everyone is going to run for local political office, but so many of us can make a real difference by fulfilling one of these capacities for the right. Whether you are currently involved in activism, thinking about getting involved in activism, or wanting to be involved in activism while you plan your local political campaign, today’s podcast will show you where to start. In this episode, you’ll learn: How you can research and change policy- why you should consider researching and writing new policies as a political capacity Why investigative reporting is important in politics- how to use investigative reporting to expose corruption and change your local government What smaller organizations can do to impact your local area- how to create a small political organization to be a change agent in your community How smaller political organizations are creating change- what other organizations are doing around the country to make a differece What Media Matters is and why it matters- and what you can do to fight media bias on your local level How lawyers can impact politics on a local level- what you can do as a lawyer to help bring about change to policies Why you should be recruiting candidates- and how to make sure that they get the training they need to win their local offices How using social media can be a political capacity- and why you need to choose a focus for your posts Resources: State Policy Network- website Heritage Foundation- website Cato Institute- website Watchdog- website Club for Growth- website Texans for Lawsuit Reform- website Goldwater Institute- website Institute for Justice- website Pacific Legal Foundation- website American Majority- website The Leadership Institute- website Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

  Are you wondering if attending political events is even worth your time, effort, and money? Are you tired of feeling like you are putting forth all of this effort to be at and throw different events, but have very little to show for it. Today I am going to give you tips on making political events pay off for your local political campaign or activist organization. I am excited to share these practical tips with you today because I know how frustrating it can be to do a political event and not have any real pay off for it. The advice I am going to share with you today is for things that I have learned either from others or the hard way. I know that these tips work because I have worked them myself! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why call to actions are so important- why you want to end every speech or presentation at political events with a practical call to action How to utilize volunteers at a political event- what things you can have volunteers do to help your political or activism campaign What to put on an email sign up sheet- what information you need to make sure to collect and what you can skip How to make sure people actually sign up for your email list- how to pass around a sign up sheet so that people actually sign up on it Why you want yard signs and bumper stickers at the event- and what you can do to make sure that people actually take and use them How to get donations at a political event- what you can do to make it as easy as possible for people to give your political campaign or cause Why you shouldn’t put on many of your own events- and how to utilize other people’s events and still get a pay off for your political campaign or cause  Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

  Politics is scary! Trust me, I understand! If you are going to run for local office and make a difference in your community, then you need to be able to overcome that fear. Today on Commonwealthy I am talking about overcoming your fears in politics. I am going to help you move past your fears by giving your practical things that you can do for specific fears related to politics. I am excited to be discussing overcoming your fear in politics today because I know how many people are sitting on the sidelines in front of their televisions watching politics instead of making a real difference because they are too scared to step out and get involved. I believe that today’s podcast will be a game changer for you and many others who have a desire to be involved in local politics. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to get over your fear of getting involved- what you can do to get started in local politics that isn’t as scary as you think Why you should consider bringing a friend with you- why there really is power in numbers, especially in new experiences How to handle an angry person on the other side of the phone or door- what to do when you come across someone who isn’t happy to hear from you What practical steps you can take to gain confidence in asking for money- what you can do to help get more comfortable doing campaign fundraising How to get over a fear of public speaking- what to do in order to get confident in your ability to speak in front of groups of people Why you should prepare for media interviews- how getting prepared for questions from the media can help make it less scary What to consider to help motivate yourself to get over your fears- what you need to think about when you need to get motivated to overcome your fear Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

One of the best ways to make a real difference in your community, election year or not, is to start a political organization. Local political organizations provide a permanent infrastructure to support limited government conservative candidates and provide a way to organize activism year round. Political organizations are key to getting our candidates elected so we can implement policy at any level.  

You have put all of this time, energy, and money into running for local political office, but you lost the election. Did you just waste the last several months doing something that didn’t matter? Or perhaps can you look at the situation differently in your mind? Today on Commonwealthy we are going to cover what do you learn when you lose your election.  

You just won your election. Congratulations! All of your hard work to campaigning for a local political office has paid off. So now what? Today on Commonwealthy Tina Keats and I will be discussing what you need to make sure to do now that you are a local elected official. Here’s a hint: the hard work is just starting!  

As we rapidly approach the November 2016 election, political campaign yard signs are popping up all across this country. There is no better time than now to study signs and designs for a political campaign! Today we are going to discuss the basics of yard signs so you can be prepared for your next run for local office. I am excited to be covering this important topic with you today because I know the impact yard signs and designs can have on your political campaign. Yard signs are a great way to get name recognition and to build your support base. Whether you are planning a run for local political office in 2017 or just starting to consider becoming a local candidate, this podcast is a great resource for you on a campaign basic!  

Are you running for local political office? Do you know what you need to be doing during this last month before the election? Don’t worry, I am here to fill you in on everything that you need to do so you are prepared to have the best shot at winning possible! With only four weeks to go before Election 2016, I am excited to share my last minute to do list with you so that as a candidate for local political office you can hit the ground running! Make sure to listen to this podcast so you know what you need to be doing in the last month before the election.  

Are you new to Commonwealthy and wondering why I put so much emphasis on running for local political office? Or perhaps you have been listening to the Commonwealthy podcast for a while now and are thinking to yourself, “Why in the world would I want to do all of this work just to serve in a local political office? What are some good reasons to run for local political office?” Today I am excited to be covering six reasons to run for local political office. With over half a million political offices in America and so much good that can be done, I am hoping to inspire you to take that first step towards making a difference in your community by running for local office. In this episode, you’ll learn: How you can make your spare time matter- what you can do to make sure that your extra time is spent doing something important What you can do with your passion to serve others- how you can use your passions to help make a difference in your community How public service is different than giving back- what public service is and why it is important in America today What you can do to stop the eroding of your community- how running for local political office can make a difference in your community for the long term Why staying positive matters- why you want to keep a positive attitude when you talk to potential supporters and critics a like What you can do to change the public’s view of politicians- why we need citizen legislatures, not professional politicians Resources: Campaign Planner Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

I am excited to have Kristina Keats back on the podcast today to help me cover everything you need to know about the last two months before your local election! If you are starting to panic, don’t! We will break down in simple steps what you need to make sure to do so you can keep your calm while you run for local political office. I know it can seem overwhelming when you only have sixty days left before the election. There is so much to do and so little time to do it in! But don’t worry, we will help you by making sure you know what is worth spending your time on and what you skip. In this episode, you’ll learn: What to make sure you have already done- what you need to have done before the last two months until the election How to make sure your yard signs aren’t stolen- why you need to keep an eye on your yard signs and why they are so effective Why you want to emphasize early voting in your GOTV plan- what you need to do in order to get a good voter turnout for early voting How to get enough volunteers for your Get Out the Vote plan- how to make sure that you have enough volunteers to have a great voter turnout Why you should keep identifying voters- why you want to keep IDing voters even through election day How to keep your cool in tough situations- why you need to remain focused and calm, even when your opponent is not playing nice Resources: Campaign Planner Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Are you curious about how to put everything together that we talk about on the Commonwealthy podcast? Does it just all seem so overwhelming? Well, don’t worry. Today I am going to explain how to use our detailed campaign planner, which is free from Commonwealthy, so that you can have every step of your political campaign for local office planned out. I am excited for you to learn how to use this campaign planner. It details out every aspect of political campaigns. The campaign planner will help you organize your campaign ahead of time so that you know exactly what you need to do every step of the way! In this episode, you’ll learn: Where to start- what you need to figure out first before you dive into any other part of your campaign plan What types of voters you need to be aware of- why you need to think about independents, ticket splitters, and split households How to approximate the number of voters talked to- what you need to consider when estimating contacts Why your overall plan determine your fundraising goal- how to figure out how much money you need to raise for your political campaign How to keep your overhead costs low- why you want to do everything you can to keep your overhead costs to a minimum What parts of the campaign planner you can skip for a small campaign- what is important for larger campaigns only Resources: Campaign Planner Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Are you working a full time job while running a political campaign for local office? Then you need some help making sure that your calendar stays organized and up to date. You need a scheduler! Today we are talking about the role of a scheduler and how they can help you in your political campaign. I am excited for you to learn about this important volunteer position that will really help your political campaign. A scheduler will help answer your phone calls, arrange events for you to appear at, and keep your calendar up to date. The role of a scheduler really is invaluable for your political campaign! In this episode, you’ll learn: Who could be a scheduler- what people you know who you should consider asking to be your scheduler What needs to be on your schedule- what you need to put on your schedule even before you schedule political campaign events What type of events a scheduler should look for- what kind of events should your scheduler plan to have you show up at What information would you need on each event- what information your scheduler will need for each event on your calendar Why you want to know something about groups inviting you- why you should consider if the group inviting you is friendly or not Who you need to share your calendar with- why you need to think about who needs access to you calendar Resources: Schedule Request Form: here   Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com    Transcript: Available here   Thank you for listening!  

Are you running in a local election against an incumbent? Do you want to know what to do so you can beat the incumbent? Then this podcast is for you! Beating an incumbent isn't impossible; it just takes work! I am excited to share with you some of my top tips for beating an incumbent and winning your local election. You might feel like you are in giant battle in your campaign against the incumbent, but it is not a futile one. If you are willing to work hard and take my advice to heart, you can win! In this episode, you’ll learn: What advantages the incumbent has- what specific things the incumbent has going for him and how to work around them What advantages you have- what disadvantages the incumbent has that work to your advantage Why it is okay to run twice- why having to run twice is not a bad thing for a new candidate running against an incumbent How to use the press to your advantage- how to get the press to use quotes from you when writing stories about the incumbent Why you should consider having a group created for the negatives- how to set up a group to do all of the negative campaigning for you How to get local businessmen to support you- what you need to do in order to get the support of local businessmen How to find a group of people to help you- why it is important to get involved in a group that can support you in your political campaign for local office. Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

Today I am going to discuss a very important topic, especially for the unusual election cycle that we are having in 2016: the effect of the rest of the ticket on your political campaign. When you are preparing for your local election, you need to think about who and what else is going to be on the ballot. Believe it or not, that can really affect your voter turnout! I am excited to discuss this topic today because I think it is especially crucial in this year’s November election. I don’t want your political campaign for local office to suffer just because of the potential unusual voter turnout for the top of the ticket. Take the time now to prepare so you have the best shot at winning your political campaign! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you shouldn’t assume Republicans will show up to vote- learn why the 2016 election cycle is different and how it could affect your election How you can ensure a good voter turnout regardless– learn what you need to do in order to make sure you get the number of votes you need to win What role voter ID should play in your political campaign- learn how to use voter ID to your advantage, regardless of the rest of the ticket How to encourage independents to show up for you- learn what you need to do in order to win over independents and ticket splitters What role mailings can play in helping you win- learn how you can use personalized mailings in order to reach independents and ticket splitters Why you should consider initiatives and referendums- learn how having this items on your ballot could affect your election turnout Resources: Voter ID Podcast: CW 14 Analyzing Past Election Results: CW 03 Targeting Voters: CW 13 Precinct Work Podcast: CW 44 Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Razzaq Lodhia is back on the show again today in continuation of Commonwealthy #59, Election Campaign Graphic Design. Razzaq runs ElectionGraphics.us and has many years of experience designing graphics, logos, websites, and other resources for political campaigns. In today’s podcast, we are discussing how your local political campaign can use photography, videography, and novelties to help you get elected. I am excited to have Razzaq back on the podcast today as we dig further into how design and media resources can help you as you run for local office. If you are looking for the insider tips on how to get great candidate photos, how to effectively use video, and what novelties are worth the money, then this podcast is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you don’t want a portrait studio headshot- learn why it is important to have the right photos taken in order to portray your character to voters Where to take photos for your political campaign– learn what types of environments you would want your photos taken in How to use video to build a rapport with the voters- learn how to shoot a video so that voters will connect with you as a person and a candidate What equipment you need to film videos for your campaign- learn what the essentials are to film high quality videos for your website and social media How to use novelties to raise funds- learn how you can use novelty items to help you in your fundraising efforts for your political campaign Why you need to plan far in advance- learn how planning out your print and novelty items in advance can help you save money and raise support What novelty items are a waste of money- learn what novelty items you should skip and what ones might be a good investment in your campaign Resource: ElectionGrahpics.us: website Contact information:  Razzaq Lodhia Email: design@electiongraphics.us John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Are you curious about what it takes to produce quality election campaign graphic design that will help you win your local election for office? Today I have the privilege of interviewing Razzaq Lodhia of ElectionGraphics.us about political campaign graphic design. If you are curious about how to have a great logo and literature, then this is the podcast for you! I am excited to have Razzaq on the podcast today because he has many years of experience in a very important area of political campaigns. From designing campaign logos and literature to websites and candidate videos, Razzaq does it all! He provides some great education on graphic design and literature printing for future and current political candidates alike. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why designing a campaign logo is the first step- learn why it is important to have your campaign logo designed before other literature or media How to get your website up and running quickly– learn what basic elements you need to have on your website to start out What is involved in the graphic design process- learn what steps are involved in designing graphics and literature for a political campaign Why it is easier to stick with stock colors for printing literature- learn why using stock colors is much easier and cheaper than matching colors How often to send out email blasts- learn why you want to limit the number of times a week that you send out email blasts to your list Why you need to schedule your campaign out- learn why it is important to make a schedule for when you will mail out print items Resources: 5 Products Vital to the Marketing Strategy of Your Local Campaign: article Millennial Likely Voters Use Digital Video to Learn about Political Candidates: article Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

There are so many different aspects and details to a political campaign for local office. How are you supposed to keep it all straight and organized? How can you possibly plan and budget for your local election? Today I am going to cover how to create a political campaign plan and budget so you will know exactly what to do! A political campaign plan and budget can help you plan out every aspect of your political campaign for local office. Whether you are running for school board, mayor, or state rep, you need to listen to this podcast so you can have an effective and organized political campaign. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the different areas of plan for are- learn what you need to make sure to include in your political campaign plan How creating an advertising plan can help you budget– learn what to consider when creating an advertising plan for your local elections Why you need to know the number of voters you need to reach- learn why having a target number of voters can help you have an effective campaign What the options are fundraising for your political campaign - learn why you need to decide ahead of time how you are going to approach fundraising How having a written budget can help you raise funds- learn how being prepared with a budget can help you raise even more money from donors Why you need to think big- learn why most candidates make a mistake when they fail to think or plan big enough for their political campaign Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Have you wondered what it takes to make sure that elections stay fair and honest? Today I am talking with John Fogarty, an election law attorney based in Chicago who has years of experience in this area. John is going to share with us practical election law insights for local candidates for public office. I am excited to have John join me on the podcast today because he is able to give us an inside look at what an election law attorney can do to help local political campaigns. John has some great advice for us today on how to make sure that our local elections stay fair and honest, and really represent the people’s choice for office! In this episode, you’ll learn: How to handle petition challenges- learn what you need to do, step by step, in order to challenge an opponent’s petition to get on the ballot What to look for on a petition when considering a challenge– learn what you need to look for in order to spot possible fraudulent signatures Why giving a concession speech doesn’t have to mean you are done- learn why you can still ask for a recount after conceding on election night Why every candidate needs an election law attorney- learn why every candidate for local office should have an attorney who knows election law What you can do to prevent voter fraud- learn what practical things you can do to help ensure a fair race without voter fraud How poll watchers and election judges make a big difference- learn why having being a poll watcher or election judge is so important Contact information:  John Fogarty Website: FogartyLawOffice.com John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com John Fogarty’s Bio: A graduate of Northwestern University and Chicago-Kent College of Law, Mr. Fogarty has established a law practice that provides businesses and individuals counsel in connection with a wide array of legal issues. His experience includes counseling his clients on employment issues, insurance coverage matters, shareholder disputes, contract issues and the like. As well, Mr. Fogarty represents his clients in all aspects of civil litigation, whether before an arbitrator, an administrative panel, circuit court or appellate court. In addition, Mr. Fogarty has established one of the most active election law practices in Illinois, regularly advising candidates, political committees, individual citizens, and for-profit and non-profit entities on all aspects of the political process, including ballot access, campaign finance issues, non-profit involvement, and lobbying issues. He has represented scores of candidates and political committees before the State Board of Elections and before electoral boards across the state, as well as in state and federal courts. Mr. Fogarty's practice also includes significant work in the area of ballot integrity – protecting the rights of all citizens to participate in the electoral process. In October of 2008, Mr. Fogarty was counsel for the plaintiffs in the matter of Atsaves, et al. v. Lake County Clerk, et al., a suit which sought to remedy reports of voter registration fraud and to prevent actual vote fraud in Lake County, Illinois. The case received local and national media coverage. More recently, Mr. Fogarty was a charter member of the Lawyers Committee for Fair Elections, an effort that recruited, trained and deployed attorneys to witness the voting process during the 2010 General Election cycle. A principal trainer for this group, Mr. Fogarty presented a CLE-eligible series of lectures on all aspects of the voting process to hundreds of attorney volunteers around the state. Mr. Fogarty currently serves as general counsel to the Illinois Republican Party. Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

My special guest today is Peter Anderson of Cobalt Media Group. They are a database house that has over 165 million voters on file! Talk about a lot of lists to buy! If you have ever been interested in how to use data for political campaigns, then this is the podcast for you! I am really excited to have Peter join me today to discuss all things data lists. Peter has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with us. Join us as we discuss how good data lists can help your political campaign for local office. In this episode, you’ll learn: Where data lists come from- learn how information is collected and compiled into lists for and by database houses How emails can help with your name recognition– learn why emails can help your campaign even if they get deleted What phone numbers can and can’t be include in robocalls- learn what phone numbers your robocalls will be able to dial and what needs to be skipped Why you want to make sure a list is cleaned regularly against FCOA - learn what FCOA is and why it is so important for making sure your list is accurate How political lists are similar to lists for automotive industries - learn why the information on different lists does not need to differ that much Why you want to email every email address possible- learn why it is best to email as many emails as you have, not just one per household Resources: Cobalt Media Group: website Contact information:  Peter Anderson Phone: 954-734-7224 x405 Email: peter.anderson@cobaltmediagroup.com John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com   Peter Anderson’s Bio: Peter is an accomplished communicator and digital marketer who has been recruited on numerous occasions to lead startup operations at new and growing agencies. He brings extensive knowledge of business development & the political process. Peter is an active member of the American Conservatives of Color with a passion for politics. He is also a classically trained singer with decades of experience performing in front of and presenting to crowds of 500 to 1,000.   Peter’s expertise Includes:  Political Communications, Branding & Messaging, Business Development, & Public Speaking Digital & Email Marketing, UX, Design & Testing, B2B & B2C Selling, & Account Management  Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!  

Today we celebrate Commonwealthy’s one year anniversary with a special podcast highlighting some of the top topics from last year as well as a special conversation with Tina Keats. The theme of this podcast, as well as Commonwealthy as a whole, is good advice for the new candidate. If you are thinking of running for local office, then this is a great episode for you! Join me as we look back on the first year of the Commonwealthy podcast and look ahead to the second year. Tina and I will share some great tidbits on what you need to make sure to do as your prepare to run in an election for local political office. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why it is important to start the campaign process early- learn why you never want to kick off your political campaign a few months before the election How getting to know your community will help your campaign– learn why it is important to put in the time getting to know the ins and outs of your town Why it is important to get to know your local political party- learn why you want to get involved with your local party long before your election How to make sure your key volunteers or staff are on the same page- learn the questions to ask so you will know that you have the same philosophy Why advertising is like an air campaign for the military - learn why you don’t want to focus all your attention and money on advertising for your election What you need to do in order to focus on the most important things- learn why listening to too many voices is a bad thing for your political campaign Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

In today’s world, branding is a big buzzword. How does branding fit into the world of political campaigns and activism? I have special guest Nicole Williams of Spark Freedom on today’s podcast to discuss branding for political candidates and activist organizations. She has lots of great ideas and information to share with you. If you are a political candidate or activist, or if you are working on a political campaign, then you need to hear what Nicole has to share with us. The information that she shares about branding will help bring your political campaign to the next level and help you win your local election! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why it is important to define your goal up front- learn how having a clear, measurable goal will help shape your branding How messaging is shaped by your end goal– learn how you can use your goal to define the message for your political campaign Why it is important to limit your key points- learn why you don’t want to have more than two or three key points for your end goal How you can creatively use interns to help define your messaging- learn how you can recruit interns to do surveys to help define your branding Why story matters for political candidates and activist organizations - learn why it is important to tell a story instead of listing facts How story fits into branding for political candidates- learn how story fits into defining your political campaign or activist organization’s brand Resources: Spark Freedom: Website Spark Sessions: Website and YouTube Archive ArrowHead Accelerator: Website Arrowhead3 Consulting: Website Contact information:  Nicole Williams Email: Nicole@sparkfreedom.org John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Nicole’s Bio: As president of Spark Freedom, Nicole works with many freedom-oriented organizations to improve their marketing and communications. She is passionate about raising awareness of and appreciation for the ideals of liberty, freedom, and self-reliance. In addition to her role at Spark Freedom, Nicole runs a small homestead where she raises chickens, grows vegetables, and roasts coffee. Active in her community, Nicole serves as president of the board of directors of a local classical choir, Mastersingers of Cookeville. She also serves as secretary on the board of directors for the Dekalb County Farmers Market in Smithville, Tennessee. Nicole's degrees in German, music, and education may not directly relate to the work she does today, but the skills she learned both at university and afterward have provided her with what she needs to excel in her current role, which requires her to analyze problems from multiple perspectives, tailor coaching services and programs to bring outcomes for participants, and use her well-honed abilities for facilitation and motivational speaking. While the degrees she pursued in her younger years also provided her with beautiful pieces of paper that many claim are required for successful entry into the job market, she has found these to be less and less necessary as the years go by. Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

Are you aware the vote fraud happens in this country on a regular basis? Today we are going to discuss different types of vote fraud to be on the lookout for. Hopefully you will never find yourself in a position where you need to cry out about ballot integrity. But if you do, this episode will help you know what to watch out for and what to do about. My hope is that this podcast will help you become aware of different types of vote fraud so that you can be an activist for integrity in our local elections! Let’s work together to make sure that everyone’s vote counts. In this episode, you’ll learn: What different way people commit vote fraud- learn different techniques that have been used to add extra votes to a particular side When and where voting fraud might occur– learn what situations you need to be especially mindful of voting fraud How you can guard your election from vote fraud- learn what you can do to make sure there is integrity in the election Why there is little you can do after the votes are counted- learn why keeping an eye out for fraud from the start is the only way to have a chance How needing photo IDs to vote can help cut down on fraud - learn why it is important to fight for needing a photo ID to vote Why you still need to watch out for fraud during a nonpartisan race- learn why nonpartisan races are just as open to fraud as partisan races Resources: Jim Laski Interview: YouTube My Fall From Grace: City Hall To Prison Walls by Jim Laski: Book  Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening

In a special edition of the Commonwealthy podcast, today’s podcast is a speech I gave at the American Majority CPAC 2016 conference. I gave some great tips on using public speaking to win support that I wanted to share with you. As a future candidate for local political office or an activist, there is a lot of useful information for you in this episode. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why public speaking is important- learn why it is important for you to become comfortable with public speaking How to get comfortable with public speaking – learn an important tip to be able to speak in front of a crowd with ease What the basic elements of a good speech are- learn what elements every speech needs to have in it Why you need a call to action in every speech- learn why it is important to include a call to action and what it can be How to connect with the audience- learn tips on how you can make sure you are connecting with the audience while you are speaking Where you can practice speaking- learn different places where you can practice public speaking How to stop using filler words when you speak- learn how you can stop saying umm and uhh when you speak Resources: Toastmasters: website American Majority: website How to Master Public Speaking for the Political Candidate: PDF Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com  Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

There are exciting things happening in the realm of voter analytics. Today I am going to privy you to my conversation with Brittany Kraiser of Cambridge Analytics as we discuss what is possible with analytics now and how it can be a game changer in political campaigns. If you are wondering what it would take to bring your political campaign for local office to the next level, this podcast is for you! Voter analytics like what is done by Cambridge Analytics is at the cutting edge of political campaigns. Find out how easy it is to incorporate this science into your local election. In this episode, you’ll learn: What a super sample is- learn how a super sample is taken and how it provides accurate data for political campaigns How OCEAN scores can help with messaging – learn what OCEAN scores are and how it can help with campaign messaging How voter analytics help with digital campaigns- learn how voter analytics can help set up a good digital campaign for local office How psychology plays into voter analytics- learn how surveys on voter’s psychology can be used for political campaigns and marketing products Why voter analytics will help you raise even more money- learn how voter analytics can help with your fundraising efforts How to use voter analytics in going door to door- learn how to use the data to craft your messages when going door to door Cambridge Analytica: Article  Website: cambridgeanalytica.org Contact information:  Brittany Kaiser Email: brittany.kaiser@cambridgeanalytica.org John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com   Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

You made it through your political campaign for local office and the Election Day. Now what should you expect? Join me for today’s podcast as I walk you through what you need to know and be prepared to do for election night and the morning after the election. Win, lose, or draw, there are certain things that you will need to be prepared ahead of time to do and say so that you position yourself well for any future campaigns. I am excited to share these inside tips with you today on the podcast. In this episode, you’ll learn: What to do for your election night party- learn where to hold your party, who to invite, and what to serve Why you shouldn’t spend all your campaign money – learn why it is important to leave money in the account for when the election is over How to set up a war room- learn what needs to be in your war room so you can track results as they are reported When to consider a recount- learn how close a race for local office should be for you to consider a recount Why you should have a victory and concession speech prepared- learn why it is important to have two speeches prepared ahead of time How to handle the press on election night- learn what to say to the press and what to allow them to photograph What to plan to do the morning after the election- learn what things you need to make sure you do soon after the election is over Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Have you been wondering what to expect for Election Day? What should you be doing now to make sure that you are ready for the big day? Join me today as we walk through a step by step timeline for what you and your volunteers should be doing on Election Day in your local political campaign. I am excited to be able to walk you through the big day, the Super Bowl of local politics, so that you are prepared with the right people and supplies to launch your campaign for local office into victory! No matter what local political office you are running for or political campaign you are helping, this is a podcast that will make sure you are prepared for the big Election Day! In this episode, you’ll learn: When your volunteers need to arrive- learn what volunteers need to be where and at what time so they are in the right place at the right time What to do about putting up yard signs – learn where to put up yard signs on Election Day to help people remember who to vote for Why you need a receptionist and campaign hotline- learn why it is so important to have a volunteer be able to field calls and people at headquarters What you need to have printed off before Election Day- learn what you need to make sure to have hard copies of, even if you are using digital versions When to call voters to remind them to get to the polls- learn when to call your voters to make sure they make it to the polls Why you need to have runners and what they do- learn what a runner is and how they can make sure your Election Day runs smoothly What to do about the press and social media- learn what your campaign needs to do on Election Day about the press and social media sites How the candidate should be spending Election Day- learn what the candidate needs to make sure to do and not do on Election Day Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

Two key roles that every campaign needs to be made aware of for election day are election judges and poll watchers. The jobs, roles and purpose of election judges and poll watchers are described and explained. Vital to honest elections and an effective Get Out the Vote plan every candidate and campaign staffer needs to understand how to find, recruit and use election judges and poll watchers effectively. I came back from CPAC with an idea on how to use FOIA (the Freedom of Information Act) in a campaign. That tip first and then a thorough explanation of why a campaign needs election judges and poll watchers. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why election judges and poll watchers are necessary in a campaign- learn the importance of the people working the polls to your campaign What the job of an election judge is- learn what an election judges duties are How can you get election judges help you with your poll watching– learn how to ask an election judge to volunteer for your campaign as a poll watcher Why are election judges and poll watchers essential to Get Out The Vote (GOTV)- learn the functions that each role fulfills in a GOTV plan Who pays the election judges- yes here is a paid role in a campaign that does noncom out of your campaigns budget What a poll watcher does- learn the important job that a poll watcher does What to do if you do not have enough poll watchers- learn different strategies to deal with a shortage of poll watchers What data systems work best for poll watching- a poll watcher does no good if their data cannot get back into your data system What credentials should a poll watcher have and where do you get them- learn where the proper paper work is obtained and how to file your poll watchers How and why you need back up plans for poll watching and GOTV- lear backup procedures in case computers or systems fail What you should bring to be prepared as a poll watcher or election judge- learn how to be comfortable during the long day in the polls as an election judge or poll watcher Why you should always be recruiting volunteers for election day- learn why you need as many people as possible on election day What simple idea can maximize your poll watching coverage- learn if sharing poll watchers with another campaign is right for you Contact information:John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Kristina Keats and I talk about Get Out the Vote (GOTV) ideas for early voting, absentee voting, along with election day strategies. These key phases in the Get Out the Vote process each needed further discussion. Although we touched on them in our previous podcast on Get Out the Vote in a Political Campaign Commonwealthy #42, it is important that the candidate and campaign staff fully realize the details and differences in each type of voting. Because Voter ID and GOTV are key to a winning campaign, we thought we would take more time to truly give our candidates and their staffs and even clearer picture of what needs to happen. In this episode, you’ll learn: Who are you targeting first for early voting- learn how to choose what voters to get to the polls first Who should be using absentee ballots- learn when to use absentee ballots and when to encourage early voting Why you should be mindful of the possibilities for vote fraud in absentee ballots- learn my horror story about absentee ballots Why early voting is a gift to the well run campaign- learn how having additional voting time during the early voting period can improve your ability to get your votes in How to get the less engaged voter to the polls- learn tactics to get the less engaged voters to the ballot box Why you have to tell your voters where the polling place is located- learn this and other information that you must get to each of your identified voters Why you should always plan on problems- learn how to do not let equipment failure stop you because you only have one shot at Election Day What you should use to remind your voters to vote- learn why using web and social media is good, but you still must live call all of your identified supporters Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

I am so excited to finally have Jason A. Hart on the podcast to explain how to use FOIA. Every political activist should understand the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Jason is an Ohio based reporter who will give you the basics. It is essential that activists, candidates and concerned citizens keep tabs on their governing bodies. Both elected, as well as those who are employed by the taxpayers, need to be reminded that those they work for are watching. FOIA is key in finding out what government is doing and where the money is going. The world needs many more citizens requesting information, and voters demanding that the information be shared in a timely and forthright manner. Even if you don’t plan to immediately make any FOIA requests, you need to understand the right and the process. Unfortunately most people have never even heard of FOIA let alone used it. Jason makes it simple in today’s interview. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the Freedom of Information Act is- learn about FOIA and what is it called on the state level What types of information can you ask for- learn some of the many types of information can request and what you cannot request How to be specific enough to get your request filled- using dates, names, subjects and other criteria in your request How this works at the state level- learn if is it different then a federal request and what departments should you be contacting What a reasonable amount of time to wait for a response is- learn when the government is dragging their feet or even blocking you from getting your information Resources The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: website Watchdog.org: website Contact information: Jason A. Hart Twitter: @jasonahart Email: jhart@watchdog.org John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com  

Even after spending so much time in politics, I am still reminded of a thing or two! In this podcast, I am going to share with you a couple of political campaign lessons that I have learned (or relearned as the case may be) that will help you in your own local election campaign. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why having a strong ground game is important- learn how voter id and get out the vote can be the key to victory How coalitions can help your political campaign - learn why coalitions are important and how to build them Why having fun matters even in politics- learn why keeping a fun atmosphere around your political campaign will help you in the end How to keep a fun environment in a political campaign- learn what specific things you can do to help your volunteers having fun What to say to people who complain about you- learn how to handle people who are constant complainers How to get an opponent kicked off the ballot during the petition stage- learn when to protest a petition and how to do it well What to do to make sure you don’t get kicked off the ballot- learn what steps to take to make sure you have the valid signatures you need on your petition Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Are you curious about how precinct work fits into field operations and your overall local political campaign strategy? What are you supposed to do with all of those numbers that you collect from previous elections anyway? How could they possibly help you in your current campaign for local office? Today I am going to cover how precinct work can help you be successful in your race for local political office. Join me as we go step by step through how to analyze past precinct results and use those results to come up with a good campaign strategy to help you win! In this episode, you’ll learn: What voter data to collect- learn what you should be looking for in past election results and how to get it How to analyze precinct results- learn what to look for as you examine past election results in different precincts How to build your campaign strategy around precinct results- learn how to use the past precinct results in order to plan your campaign strategy Why you would start your field operations in precincts that support you- learn the advantages of starting your campaign off in an area that is for you How to figure out which districts are ticket splitting- learn what to look for to find the swing precincts How to use precinct work to help build up your volunteers- learn the advantages of knowing precinct results when starting off volunteers When you should ID people based on issues, not party affiliation- learn when it will help you to ID people based on different local and political issues Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

If you have listened to the Commonwealthy podcast before, then you know I am passionate about helping people run for local political offices. But why? Today I am going to cover why it is so important for people like yourself to set up and run in local political campaigns. I am also going to cover the three essential elements in a political campaign. If you find yourself overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done to run for local office, then this is the podcast for you! I will boil it down to the basic core of how to get started in a political campaign. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should run for local office- learn the importance of having good people with common sense running for local political offices How local offices impact us compared to federal offices- learn the role that local political offices play in our society as compared to national politics Why messaging matters - learn why you need to know what you believe before you start your political campaign How to look at rejection as a political candidate- learn why you will need to get used to hearing no and how to handle it Who to talk to when you start out- learn who you need to talk to about volunteering and raising money to be successful How to utilize volunteers at the beginning of your political campaign- learn what you can do to get volunteers involved and engaged from the beginning Why the second time is often the charm- learn why there is no shame in running for local office twice before you win the election  Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

You have done all of this hard work collecting information in your database about who is voting for you. Now what do you do with it? In today’s podcast, Tina joins me to lay a foundation on Get Out the Vote. If you really want to win your local election, then you need to learn how to have a successful Get Out the Vote plan! I am excited to begin to cover this essential topic with Tina. We have seen over and over that Get Out the Vote is the key to victory in many local political campaigns. Today we will share our experiences with you and help you achieve victory of your own! Join us today as we discuss Get Out the Vote for political campaigns. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you need to plan for Get Out the Vote- learn the importance of having a good Get Out the Vote plan for your local political campaign What field operations are- learn what role field operations play in preparing for a successful Get Out the Vote push Why money alone doesn’t win elections - learn what role finances play in campaigns, and what they cannot do for you How identifying voters is only part of the job- learn why identifying voters is not enough to win you the election Why emails and social media is not enough to get people to the polls- learn what you need to do to make sure that people actually come vote How to prioritize to best utilize your political campaign’s time- learn who to concentrate your Get Out the Vote efforts on first and foremost Why a good database is key to a successful campaign- learn why you need to have a good database in place from the beginning of your campaign  Resources: Study on Get Out the Vote: isps.yale.edu/node/16698#.VpqD_5MrLBI Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Paul Miller joins me back on the podcast today for a fun look at what many first time candidates do wrong. If you want to make sure that you spend your time wisely and don’t make the mistakes that many first time candidates make, then make sure to listen to Many Local Candidates Have Delusional Ideas! We will cover all the basics of what not to do for you. I am excited to have Paul back on the podcast today as we share our experiences in working with and observing first time candidates over the last two decades together. Paul is a good friend of mine, but also a political and media consultant with The Paulie Group. Together, we’ve got a wealth of knowledge to share with you, as well as lots of laughs! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you need to be careful about the events you attend- learn why you don’t need to commit to attend every event for your party What you need to do instead of just sending emails- learn what will get people to actually volunteer for and donate to your campaign Why social media doesn’t win elections - learn what role social media plays in elections and what role it does not fill How much time you should spend attending parades- learn how not to waste your time planning parade groups and what to do instead Why you shouldn’t count on your party helping your campaign- learn why your party may not provide finances or volunteer hours to support you Who you really need to ask for donations from- learn who to make sure to ask a donation from and why it is so important Why some people will never vote for you- learn why some people are not worth your time trying to convince them to vote for you  Contact information:  Paul Miller Website: pauliegroup.com Editorials: salomoncenter.org John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com  Paul Miller’s Bio: Paul Miller is a highly regarded journalist, editorial writer and political consultant, he founded in 2009 the political and new media consulting firm Pauliegroup LLC. A childhood steeped in freedom of political expression around the family dinner table led Paul to the formal study of journalism, ultimately shaping him into the outspoken critic of Progressive anti-Semitism and media bias against Israel that has characterized him for the last two decades. His byline can be found in the New York Post, Fox News, Washington Times, Chicago Tribune, Jerusalem Post and The Hill. His work has been featured on the Drudge Report and news sites across the globe.  As a respected authority on national politics, Middle East policy and media accountability, Paul has been quoted and sourced by the New York Times, Fox News, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

In the second part of our two part series on negatives in political campaigns, Tina and I discuss how to respond when you are attacked. Negative political attacks are just a part of politics. If you are going to be running for local office, then you need to be prepared with the knowledge of how to respond in a way that helps your campaign and hurts your candidates. I am excited to have Tina back on the podcast today as we finish up our series. We both have had a lot of experience with successfully responding to negative campaign attacks. We share some of our best tips on how to diffuse a situation before it ruins your run for office. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why defending yourself from negative political attacks is challenging- learn why it can be difficult to prove that negative attacks are lies What you can do to prove the truth- learn different approaches to proving the negative attacks are not factual How early voting is helping attacked candidates - learn how early voting can help you defend yourself from negative attacks What mediums to use to defend yourself- learn what mediums to consider using to respond to negative attacks Why legal cases against negative attacks don’t help- learn why liable and defamation laws won’t help protect your political campaign from attacks When to consider ignoring negative political attacks- learn when it would be in your best interest to ignore false negative attacks What to do with true negatives against you- learn what steps to take to make sure that the news comes out on your terms Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com  Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Tina joins me on the podcast today as we cover an important part of any political campaign: negatives! So many first time candidates are determined to not have a negative campaign. In doing so, they miss out on an opportunity to educate the voters on the relative truths about their opponent. Don’t let this happen to you! I am excited to have Tina with me for this episode as we show you that truthful facts aren’t negatives! We will give essential tips on how to make sure that you fulfill your moral obligation to bring truths to light while staying out of a negative smear campaign. You can do both- and after this podcast, you will know how! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why truthful facts aren’t negatives- learn the importance of telling the truth about your opponent even if they are not positive facts What type of truths you should share- learn the importance of only sharing relative truths to the campaign Why you should have original documents to back you up- learn the types of files or media stories that you should have before disclosing facts How sharing unsubstantiated claims can ruin your campaign- learn why it is important to have proof before you bring a negative truth to light Where to share negatives truths about your opponent- learn different ways you can share truthful facts about your opponent How to find negative truthful facts- learn where you or your volunteers can look to find information about your opponent What a push poll is- learn how to use a push poll to share truthful facts about the opposing candidate Why to consider having a third party go negative for you- learn different ways to have a party outside of your campaign share information with voters Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

As we wrap up 2015 and look forward to a clean slate in 2016, are you thinking about making New Year’s resolutions? What if you could make seven easy resolutions that would help change your life for the better AND set yourself up to be a candidate in the future? Join me on the podcast today as we cover these easy changes you can make to help prepare yourself for a future political campaign for local office.  Start the year off setting yourself up to be a candidate. In this episode, you’ll learn:    Why you should be involved in your community- learn the importance of being involved and where to start looking for a place to get hooked up What type of political organization you should join- learn what political group would serve you the best to be a part of and where to find them Why your involvement in political organizations is crucial- learn why this step helps set you up for future political success What steps to take to build a web presence now- learn what you can do to build an online community and presence for when you need it What issues to pay attention to now- learn what issues you should be following and an easy way to do so every day Why becoming a better public speaker is crucial- learn why you should improve your public speaking skills and how to do it What you can do to learn what you think about issues now- learn what steps to take to ensure that you will know what you think about crucial issues   Resources:  Need help finding a Republican group to get involved with? Get out our free GOP Guide! College Republicans: crnc.org Young Republicans: yrnf.com Talk Walker: talkwalker.com Toastmasters International: toastmasters.org State Policy Network: spn.org Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Are you curious about how the Republican Party is structured? Have you heard the names of the various Republican organizations and aren’t sure how it all fits together? Today I am going to do a special podcast to help clear up the confusion! Join me as we take a look at the different organizations that make up the Republican Party. In this episode, you’ll learn: What is the Republican Party- learn what the Republican Party really is and the different organizations that make it up Who makes up the Republican National Committee- learn who the members of the Republican National Committee are and how the elected What the role of the Republican National Committee is- what the RNC is responsible for doing and overseeing How state Republican parties are run- learn who makes up the members of each state’s Republican Party What the job is of Precinct Committeemen- learn what precinct committeemen do and why it is so important Why being a Precinct Committeeman can affect real change- learn why you should consider running for this position to see the Republican Party changed What organization to talk to about your concerns- learn why you need to talk to the right organization in order to have your complaints heard Why you need to be careful about what organization you send money to- learn why some organizations only support incumbents Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Free GOP Guide: Available here Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Do you love a good underdog story? If so, I have a treat for you today. Jason Carini is the county treasurer in Rogers County, Oklahoma . He is joining me on the podcast to talk about how he overcame a twenty-four year incumbent in a local election and is able to help clean up his county government as a result. Jason has a great story to tell and plenty of practical advice to give about how to run for local political office and win a local election. If you want to see some real change happen in your community, join us today to get some great tips on how to make that happen. Jason’s strategies will work whether you want to run for local political office or be a watchdog and activist in your community. Change starts with you! So listen in today as we find out the best ways to make change possible. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why past political failures shouldn’t stop you from trying again- learn why you should learn from your mistakes and try again How knowing the political make-up of your area can help- learn why you want to find out your local political environment What to do to run a quick campaign- learn a strategy to successfully put together a winning campaign in just a few weeks Why the amount of support you have matters- learn what the amount of financial support your campaign has says about you How to build relationships with key leaders in your community- learn what you need to do to quickly and successfully network with local leaders How the number of households differs from the number of voters- learn when you need to concentrate on the number of households instead of voters Why absentee and early voters make the difference- learn why you want to make sure to get the absentee and early votes so you can win How to use the Freedom of Information Act in your political campaign- learn different ideas on how to use FOIA to help you win the election Resources: Anatomy of an Upset: Rogers County Treasurer: article Incumbents Turned Out: article Jason Carini’s Treasurer’s Memo: link Contact information:  Jason Carini Email: jasoncarini@gmail.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasoncarini John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com   Transcript: Available here  Thank you for listening!

Money makes the world go round- especially in political campaigns! Join us today as Tina and I discuss how to ask for money in a political campaign. Whether you are nervous about asking people for money or you are just looking for tips on where to start, we’ve got all the information covered for you. If you are going to run for local political office, then you are going to have to learn how to ask! You will need to ask for people’s vote. You will need to ask for their support. You will need to ask for people’s time. Learn the basics today as we go over how to ask for money in a political campaign. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you should start with your friends and family- learn why you want to start raising money with the people that know you the best Who you should ask for money from – learn who should be on your list of people to ask for money from and how to find them Why you shouldn’t be ashamed of asking for money- learn why it is important to ask for money, not something to be ashamed or afraid of How to send out a mailing to raise support- learn what you need to include in your mailing and how often to send it Why asking for money is about more than just the money- learn what someone giving you money for your political campaign really means What events should be for in local elections- learn what kind of events you should be having when running for local office to not waste time or money How an election law attorney is important is campaign fundraising- learn why you want to contact an attorney before you start to ask for money When to consider hiring a professional fundraiser- learn at what campaign level you should consider hiring a professional to help with your fundraising Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Tina is back on the podcast today as we discuss primary election strategies. A primary election is slightly different than a general election in that you will be running against people from your same party. There will be a lower voter turnout and you will be contending for the vote of a smaller group of people. How can you set yourself up for success in a primary election? We’ve got some great tips and strategies for you today to help you get the advantage in your local primary election. If you are considering running for local office or are helping someone who is, then don’t miss this podcast! We will let you know what you need to know about primary election strategies for local political offices. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you want to have a primary election- learn what the advantages are to having a primary election How primary elections earn you free publicity- learn how having a primary can provide you with unearned media attention When to use a petition challenge- learn when you want to consider doing a petition challenge for a primary election How to do a petition challenge during a primary- learn what steps you would need to take in order to challenge your opponent’s petitions Why you want to avoid personal attacks during a primary- learn why you want to be extra careful to avoid attacking your opponents during a primary What you need to make sure to do with voters- learn why voter contact is essential during a primary How media endorsements during a primary can be used- learn how you can use primary endorsements to your advantage during the general election How to get local organizations to endorse you for the primary- learn what steps you need to take and when to start in order to win local endorsements Contact information:  John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

I have a special guest on the podcast today that you are really going to learn a lot from! Brandon Lewis, author of the best selling book How to Raise Money for Political Office, is going to teach us the basic steps to raising the money that you really need to win your race for local office. Follow his simple program, and I know you will be able raise your dream budget!

  My special guest on the podcast today is Steve Huntley, the former editor of the editorial page at the Chicago Sun-Times. For a long time, Steve was one of the few conservative voices in Chicago newspapers. Today Steve is going to provide us with tips on editorial boards from his years of experience in the journalism world. If you are running for local office or considering a political campaign, then you will need to prepare for an editorial board. The tips you learn today can help make sure that you have the best experience possible and take full advantage of the opportunity. Learn all that you can now to take full advantage of your editorial board experience. In this episode, you’ll learn: Who an editorial board interviews- learn what races are of interest to editorial boards and what to expect for your political campaign How editorial boards contact clients- learn how you can expect to be contacted by an editorial board so you don’t miss it What to do with editorial board questionnaires- learn why it is important to take the questionnaires seriously How many people make up an editorial board- learn who is usually on an editorial board so you know what to expect What the latest trends in editorial boards are- learn how changes in editorial boards should impact how you prepare for them How an editorial board decides on endorsements- learn the process of how a newspaper makes endorsements for political candidates What biases an editorial board may have- learn about editorial board biases and how to prepare for them Why editorial boards are important, even if they are biased- learn how an editorial board can help you, even if you don’t get its endorsement Resources: Steve Huntley’s columns: chicago.suntimes.com/author/shuntley/ Contact information:  Steve Huntley Email: shuntley.cst@gmail.com. John Tsarpalas Twitter: @JTsarpalas Email: john@commonwealthy.com Biography: Throughout a journalism career that has spanned fifty years, Steve Huntley has experience doing almost everything. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Journalism in 1965, Steve began his career as a reporter, writer, and editor for the United Press International. Since that time, Steve’s distinguished career includes being an editor for the U.S. News World and Report and editorial page editor for the Chicago Sun-Times. Under Steve’s leadership, the Metro staff won Lisagor awards in 1996 for coverage of the Fox River Grove, Ill., school bus-train crash that killed seven children, in 1993 for coverage of the Chicago Loop flood and in 1992 for the “After the Shooting Stops” series on the impact of violent death on families and communities. After Steve became the editorial page editor, the Sun-Times editorial page staff was twice awarded the Peter Lisagor Award for exemplary journalism. Steve was a twice-a-week freelance OpEd columnist on public policy, politics, and national and international affairs at the Chicago Sun-Times from 2008 to 2015. He co-authored Knocking Down Barriers: My Fight for Black America, by Truman K. Gibson Jr. with Steve Huntley (Northwestern University Press).  Steve lives in Wilmette, Ill., with his wife, Linda. They have two daughters, Kristine and Katherine. Transcript: Available here Thank you for listening!

Tina Keats is back on the podcast today to give you some great tips on effectively preparing for debates and editorial boards. Even as a candidate running for local office, you should expect to have a debate during your political campaign. We will talk about the difference between the presidential debates and a debate for local office, but how you can still prepare just like a pro!

My special guest today is Matt Batzel, national executive director of American Majority. Matt has been heavily involved in political activism in his home state of Wisconsin for many years now. He has a lot of information how to successfully do grassroots political activism in today’s culture and society that he is going to share with us!

Tina Keats is back on the podcast today to talk about two important topics: automated phone system scripts and special interest group questionnaires. If you are running for local office or working as a campaign manager for a local political campaign, then you don’t want to miss the information shared on this podcast!

Today my special guest on the podcast is James O’Hara, co-founder and of Extended Data Solutions. James is an expert in automated phone calls, otherwise known as robo-calls. Not only does James have a way to doing robo-calls that gets people to actually listen, but he also knows how to use video and social media to help your campaign.

Today I am talking to Aubrey Blankenship, director of communications for American Majority. We are going to be talking about using social media for your political campaign- the basic campaign website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, some thoughts and ideas, basics, strategies.