 | | | | House Majority Leader Outlines Campaign TechniquesRepublican House Majority Leader Wayne Scott laid it on the line for Professor Hal Koenig's marketing class. "The campaign process needs to be partisan to help promote our situation and our candidates."
So while Representative Scott is responsible for leading the Republican Caucus and co-chairing the Ways and Means Committee, one of his toughest jobs happens every election cycle when all 60 House seats are up for grabs. According to Scott, one-third of the seats are usually safe Democratic seats. One-third are safe Republican seats and the last third is where he spends much of his time. These are the 20 seats with usually about a dozen that are really competitive in any one election cycle. His goal is to help recruit candidates and help them win. And to be successful in doing that, you have to show what kind of marketing you can bring to bear.
"It isn't easy to recruit candidates," said Scott. "You have to run for election. Your reputation gets dragged through the mud. And, you earn $1450 a month. Sound attractive?"
On top of that, a typical race costs about $300,000 and includes about 20 pieces of direct mail, 1,000 lawn signs, ads, phone callers, staffing and office expenses. Candidates have to devote significant time to raising money and walking door-to-door.
To be a good candidate, you have to have a good profile, as well as ideas and a platform, according to Scott. "Experience and expertise are important." He went on to say that races are won by competent and experienced candidates with strong issues that appeal to a sympathetic voter.
"It is important to keep the focus of campaigns on local issues," he said. |
