Run File 05: Support Check (optional)

Who’s really in your corner, and what are they offering?

People may encourage you to run. Some may offer help. Others may promise support without explaining what that means.

Use this worksheet to sort out what you can count on, what you’re still waiting to hear, and what might happen if that help doesn’t come through.

You don’t need a campaign team yet. Every question is optional.

Section 1
- Confirmed support: Who has committed, and to what?
- Promised support: Who has discussed helping, but hasn’t committed?
- Unknown support: What help is still missing or uncertain?
Confirmed support: Who has committed, and to what?
Promised support: Who has discussed helping, but hasn’t committed?
Unknown support: What help is still missing or uncertain?
Section 2
- Where might you need help?
- Which kinds of help matter most to your decision about running?
- Is there support you haven’t found yet?
Where might you need help?
Possible areas: Getting on the ballot or gathering signatures; Volunteers and voter outreach; Fundraising; Campaign advice or experience; Communications and publicity; Introductions and community connections; Practical or personal support; Something else.
Which kinds of help matter most to your decision about running?
Is there support you haven’t found yet?
Section 3
- Has anyone explained what they would expect from you in return for their support?
- What expectations have been discussed?
- Is there anything you’re uncomfortable agreeing to or need to clarify?
Has anyone explained what they would expect from you in return for their support?
YesNoNot sureNot applicable
What expectations have been discussed?
Consider fundraising targets, financial contributions, public positions, messaging, event attendance, or other commitments.
Is there anything you’re uncomfortable agreeing to or need to clarify?
Section 4
- Which support are you counting on that isn’t confirmed yet?
- If that support never arrives, what would change?
- Would you still consider running without it?
- What would you need to reconsider?
Which support are you counting on that isn’t confirmed yet?
If that support never arrives, what would change?
Would you still consider running without it?
YesNoNot sure
What would you need to reconsider?
Section 5
- Support I can count on
- Support I’m still waiting on
- Questions I need answered
- My next conversation
Support I can count on
Nothing saved in Section 1 yet.
Support I’m still waiting on
Nothing saved in Section 1 yet.
Questions I need answered
My next conversation
Who do you need to talk with, and what do you need to ask?
Before you move on
You don’t need every volunteer, donor, or endorsement lined up before deciding whether to run.
But you should know the difference between people who want you to run and people who are prepared to help you do it.
A room full of encouragement is nice. It isn’t necessarily a campaign team.

Run File 05: Support Check (optional)

1Who’s in your corner?Think about people, party committees, political organizations, community groups, and others who have expressed interest in helping.Open+

2What help might you need?You don’t need to recruit everyone now. Think about the support that could make running possible or more manageable.Open+

3Are there strings attached?Support sometimes comes with expectations. It’s better to understand those before making commitments.Open+

4What if the help doesn’t come?Promises change. Organizations have competing priorities. People get busy.Open+

5Your Support CheckHere’s where things stand right now.Open+

Before you move on