🗂️ Candidate Checklist & Campaign Plan

A successful campaign has a well-organized game plan.

Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash

1. Start outlining your campaign plan from now until Election Day.

If you don’t know where you’re going, your campaign definitely doesn’t.
Map it out. Put real dates on real tasks. Treat it like the job it is.

2. Order a name tag with your logo and your name.

Make it easy for people to remember who you are.
And order three, trust me, you’ll lose one under your car seat.
I ordered mine from namebadge.com.

3. Create a list of possible surrogates.

You cannot be everywhere. Identify folks who can speak for you, and think through how you’ll train them. Tag-team when necessary. And please record a short “I’m sorry I can’t be there tonight” video now, because one day, you’ll need it.

4. Set up Google Alerts.

For:

• Your name

• Your district

• Your opponent

• Key issues in your race

If something happens, you want to know before your opponent turns it into a Facebook ad.

5. Refine your Why statement.

Why are you running?
What story are you telling?

Create a:

• 1-minute pitch

• 2-minute pitch

• 3-minute pitch

Different situations, different lengths, same message.

6. Set up your 10DLC for texting.

If you’re confused, don’t worry. Everyone is confused. Just get it done early so your texts don’t get blocked.

Sample week by week Campaign Plan for you edit with your candidate’s details.

PHASE 1: RIGHT NOW — LATE DECEMBER

GOAL: Build the campaign infrastructure, message, and presence.

✔ Core Tasks

• Finalize campaign plan through March 3

• Build win number + targeting universes

• Launch website, logo, branding

• Set up ActBlue, bank, compliance, 10DLC texting

• Record intro video

• Write/refine Why Statement (1-, 2-, and 3-minute versions)

• Create media list + press kit

• Assemble digital content library (15–20 ready-to-go posts)

• Start Google Alerts: your name, district, opponent, key issues

• Begin call time (10–15 hours/week)

• Recruit volunteer captains

• Finish all endorsement questionnaires still open

Door-Knocking Begins

This is listening canvassing, the most important form of persuasion.
You are gathering intel to shape your platform and message.

PHASE 2: JANUARY — GET LOUD, GET SEEN, GET ORGANIZED

GOAL: Build name ID, credibility, and structure. Accelerate everything.

WEEKLY NON-NEGOTIABLES:

• 15 hrs call time

• 2 canvassing shifts

• 2 community appearances

• 3–5 pieces of digital content

• 1 fundraising email

• 1 volunteer recruitment post

• 1 endorsement ask

• 1 policy explainer

WEEK 1 OF JANUARY

Tasks

• Launch intro video publicly

• Start persuasion canvassing

• Hold first volunteer training

• Release first policy one-pager (education, healthcare, cost of living, etc.)

• Begin scheduling debates/forums

• Run first weekend canvass blitz

WEEK 2 OF JANUARY

Tasks

• Digital: boost intro video

• Host house party #1

• Submit additional endorsement apps

• Begin outreach to unions, teachers, moms groups

• Host one virtual town hall

• Start Spanish-language outreach (if applicable)

WEEK 3 OF JANUARY

Tasks

• Publish second policy one-pager

• Candidate does at least 10 direct voter call-backs

• Push small-dollar fundraising campaign

• Begin surrogates list + training plan

• Press outreach: pitch profile story to local reporters

• Canvass goal: 1,000 doors this week

WEEK 4 OF JANUARY

Tasks

• Host town hall #2

• Finalize Primary GOTV plan

• Roll out endorsements you’ve secured

• Drop “Meet the Candidate” video (version 2)

• Canvass harder turf (high-D, low-turnout precincts)

• Fundraising event #2

PHASE 3: FEBRUARY — FULL PERSUASION MODE

This is when the campaign becomes a real campaign. Visibility must skyrocket.
Every week matters. Every conversation matters. Every dollar matters.

WEEK 1 OF FEBRUARY

Tasks

• Drop Persuasion Mailer #1

• Debate or forum prep intensifies

• Release a “Freedom for Texas Families” message or ad

• Press hit (op-ed, radio, podcast)

• Weekend Mega Canvass: 1,500–2,000 doors

• Data hygiene check (correct targeting for GOTV)

WEEK 2 OF FEBRUARY

Tasks

• Endorsements Round #2

• Digital ads on: your story + your top issue

• Fundraising push: “30 Days to Primary”

• Phone Bank launch

• Rollout Spanish-language digital content

• Candidate meets with educators, nurses, and small business owners

• GOTV staging locations confirmed

WEEK 3 OF FEBRUARY

Tasks

• Persuasion Mailer #2

• Policy spotlight video (60-sec explainer)

• Large volunteer training & recruitment

• Canvass goal: 2,500+ doors

• Texting program starts

• Town hall #3

• Debate #1 (if scheduled)

WEEK 4 OF FEBRUARY — GOTV BEGINS

Early voting opens around mid-February for the Texas primary.
This is EVERYTHING.

Daily Must-Do (Once Early Vote Starts):

• Daily canvassing

• Daily texting

• Daily phone banks

• Daily data cleanup

• Daily ballot chase

• Candidate at early voting locations (high visibility)

Tasks

• GOTV Mailer #1

• GOTV digital blitz (vote times, locations, urgency messaging)

• Volunteer surge weekend

• Spanish-language GOTV

• Opponent contrast messaging (values-based, not personal)

PHASE 4: FINAL MARCH 1–3 SPRINT TO THE PRIMARY

MARCH 1–2 — FINAL 48 HOURS

Tasks

• Hit low-propensity voters

• Heavy text + phone surge

• Canvass top precincts

• Ride-to-the-polls program activated

• Surrogates deployed across district

• Candidate visibility at early vote sites

• Digital countdown posts every few hours

MARCH 3 — PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

Morning

• 6 AM visibility teams

• Poll greeters deployed

• First canvass launch

• Social media: “Today is the day. Go vote.”

Mid-day

• Chase lists updated hourly

• Ballot cure (if necessary)

• Phone banks & texting continue nonstop

Afternoon

• Final GOTV push door-to-door

• Candidate visits multiple polling locations

• Surrogates amplify the message across social media

7 PM POLLS CLOSE

• War Room activated

• Results monitored

• Victory/concession speech ready

• Thank volunteers early and often

• After results are posted. Call your largest supporters to tell them the news and thank them.