Political campaign staffers are the backbone of every campaign. They are responsible for managing budgets, raising money, running social media, building field programs, prepping candidates for public appearances, and implementing campaign strategies. Campaign staffers have a difficult job because they must oversee the day-to-day operations of a campaign while also keeping the long-term strategic goals in mind. A political campaign staffer is a member of the campaign team. This team must manage the work of both internal and external aspects of the campaign. The campaign staff oversees everything from managing the door-to-door volunteers to approving the creative for digital ads and direct mail pieces. A good political campaign staff should also be creating reports on the campaign’s progress, which requires the ability to obtain, manage, and analyze data.
To get started as a political campaign staffer, most people start by volunteering to gain experience and relevant skills. In most roles, you need excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to be persuasive and informative with diverse audiences. You should be enthusiastic about politics and passionate about relevant causes, issues, and priorities. There is no specific educational background required to be a political campaign staffer, but a bachelor’s degree in government or political science is very helpful. Political campaigns offer the opportunity to develop and refine a wide assortment of skills in an extremely fast-paced and flexible environment. Moreover, they give a unique perspective into the electoral process, as well as the cares and concerns of elected officials and the American public.
The average annual pay for a Political Campaign Staff in the United States is $42,776 a year. However, this can vary greatly depending on skill level, location, and years of experience.
People choose to be political campaign staffers for many reasons. Some are passionate about politics and want to make a difference in their community or country. Political campaign staffers can advance to managing larger campaigns for statewide or national office. Some senior campaign staffers may move into political consulting, working for multiple candidates or causes. Additionally, campaign staffers can use their skills and experience to transition into other careers such as public relations, journalism, or government work.
WORKS CITED:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-get-into-politics
https://work.chron.com/political-career-start-29679.html
https://www.thecampaignworkshop.com/blog/pillar/campaign-management/political-campaign-staff
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/How-to-Get-a-Political-Campaign-Staff-Job
https://online.norwich.edu/academic-programs/resources/running-a-political-campaign
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_campaign_staff
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Industry=Political_Campaign/Salary