Candidates Go to College to Learn Campaigning

If only here were a handbook called "How to Successfully Campaign for Office and Get Elected." It would be a bestsller during election season.

Friday's Candidate College at came close to being just that kind of guide.

The event for current and potential candidates covered how to file for candidacy, raise funds, develop social media tactics, tap the power of the media and more.

The final session of the day featured Christian Zeigler of the Sarasota County Republican Club and Richard O'Brien, chairman of the Manatee County Democratic Party, giving some insider tips and insight on how to organize.

"At the end of the day, you have to be the chief executive of your campaign," O'Brien said.

Candidates can use the local parties' clubs for some basic supports and gain contact lists, but knocking on doors, organizing volunteers and getting people to donate money has to be led by the candidate, the two said.

"You cannot expect us to come in and run your campaign," Zeigler said. "You really have to be self-sufficient." 

Judy Sedgeman, director of USFSM's Institute for Public Policy & Leadership, said that the participants of the college were good students, asking lots of questions.

"They were very engaged, and a lot of good questions came out," she said.

She estimated the attendees were about one-third candidates, one-third past candidates and one-third people considering to run for office.

Past Commission candidate Linda Holland attended the session as a self-described political junkie, as she's currently involved with the Sarasota County Civic League.

She likes how the seminar can put folks at ease about running for office.

"It just puts a more human face on it, and what I think it does for people who are thinking about running is make it less frightening," she said."You realize, these are just people, and they did it, and they survived."

Manatee County Commission District 7 candidate Betsy Benac said she liked the specific recommendations involved.

"As a candidate you get a lot of broad advice, and especially if you're not a politician, you've never done this before, it's good to hear specifics and different viewpoints," she said.

For Benac, the advice boils down to one thought.

"It's going to be a lot of work, and get to it," she said.

How to Use Patch for Your Campaign

Patch participated in the "Getting Your Story Covered" session offering candidates advice, and there are two main features every candidate should know:

• Announcements

Here you can post a press release yourself and have it immediately posted. You can add photos and format it as well. These Announcements reach more than 2,500 people each morning in our Newsletter.

• Start a Blog on Patch

Patch offers each candidate his or her own blog, and mayors, council and school board members and commissioners are welcome to blog, too. This is an excellent way to keep your message out there regularly and offer responses and rebuttals quickly, too. Apply to be a blogger today.

For more information on the ins and outs of blogging for Patch, email Sarasota Local Editor Charles Schelle at Charles.Schelle@Patch.com or Bradenton Local Editor Toni Whitt at Toni.Whitt@Patch.com.