A political campaign is an organized effort to elect people or pass ballot initiatives such as constitutional amendments, legislative referenda, and local ordinances. The goal of a political campaign is to secure a majority (or at least a plurality) of votes, which is usually achieved by persuading voters of the candidate’s policies and positions. Most campaigns are powered by large groups of volunteers, but they also rely on paid staffers to manage the campaign’s day-to-day operations.
Political campaigns are highly competitive, especially for seats in Congress, state legislatures, and the presidency. These competitive races often determine the balance of power between political parties or branches of government and influence highly salient policy debates. As a result, the most competitive campaigns typically raise and spend the most money and build the most professional campaign operations. Competitive campaigns also attract the interest of major party ecosystems, which release lists of prioritized races to signal to donors and other members of their partisan networks which campaigns to support.
Working on a political campaign offers prospective staffers–particularly college students and mid-level professionals–a valuable opportunity to gain professional experience in a very fast-paced environment. It also provides a unique perspective into the cares and concerns of elected officials and the American public, which can be useful for those who wish to pursue careers in government down the road. While a political campaign isn’t for everyone, it can be a great fit for those who understand the practical realities of the job and are willing to put in long hours under stressful conditions.