Building Relationships with Candidates for Elected Office at the Local, State, and Federal Levels
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Strong relationships build trust and help ensure that policymakers know who you are, how you can be helpful, and why your mission is important. This is as true for candidates who are running for elected office as it is for policymakers who already hold their positions, but there are special things to remember when you are building relationships with candidates.
Through the Value. Voice. Vote. campaign, these relationships also play an important role in elevating early educator compensation as a public issue and ensuring candidates understand the experiences and expertise of the early childhood workforce.
If you are able to build a connection with them, candidates may be more likely to listen to what you have to say, participate in your events, and engage on issues that matter to early childhood education if/when they are elected to public office. Remember, today’s school board member is tomorrow’s senator. Put time into cultivating relationships, and your efforts will pay off—in the short term and the long term! Here are some tips to help (and check out NAEYC’s Mastering Meetings with Policy Makers for some additional tips and tricks).
- Build Good Relationships with Campaign Staff and Volunteers
Candidates and elected officials rely on their staff; your relationships with the staff often define your relationship with the candidate. Being pleasant, prepared, and helpful goes a long way. If you treat a staff member poorly or fail to follow up as promised, your invitations, requests for meetings, or candidate engagement opportunities may go unanswered.
- Build Good Relationships across Party Lines
It is important not to rule out specific groups or political parties as potential partners in advancing early childhood education. When you are building relationships, keep an open mind and engage candidates across the political spectrum. The goal is to elevate early childhood issues as shared priorities, not to align with a single party or platform.
- Build Good Relationships with Trusted Advisors to Candidates
Candidates (and elected officials) often rely on trusted advisors on specific policy topics. Find out who advises your candidates on early learning issues and reach out to them. You may want to eventually become a trusted advisor yourself; but in the meantime, work to position your organization as a reliable, nonpartisan resource and thought partner on early childhood education and workforce issues.
- Be Knowledgeable about the Political Landscape and Elected Officials and about the Candidates and Issues on the Ballot
Ensure that everyone involved in your organization’s civic engagement and advocacy work understands who the candidates are for relevant local, state, and federal offices, as well as their positions on key issues on the ballot.
- Understand the Policy-Making Process
Each local and state electoral body has its own for policy making, budgeting, and electoral timelines. Each election also has important dates and processes related to voter registration and participation. Understanding these processes helps ensure that your engagement is timely, strategic, and effective—and that you are not arriving after key decisions have already been made.
- Make Sure Your Staff, Champions, and Followers Are All Using the Same Message
Having a clear and consistent message is important in advocacy efforts and civic engagement. Develop shared talking points and ensure that staff, affiliates, and others speaking on behalf of your organization are aligned on messaging and how to engage constructively with differing perspectives.
- Take Time to Research the Person You Will Be Meeting
Before meeting with a candidate, research their background, priorities, and public positions. Review their biography, campaign issues, and voting record (if applicable), and look for opportunities to build a personal connection through shared community experiences or interests. This preparation helps you tailor your message and make the conversation more relevant and grounded.
- Show an Interest in Their Interests
Ask about their priorities, what they think, and why. Position yourself as a subject matter expert in early childhood education while also connecting your message to their areas of interest. Do not assume the candidate has a deep knowledge of early childhood issues—you bring the expertise that can help shape their understanding and policy priorities, position statements, and campaign promises.
- Don’t Waste Time
Be prepared and concise—candidates and their team may not have much time. Practice explaining 3 to 5 key messages and prepare a few questions for the candidate related to early childhood education. If you are distributing materials about your organization or about early childhood, be sure that they are short, accessible, and reinforce your message. Clarity and focus increase the likelihood your message will be remembered and acted on.
- Know How to Respond to Opposition
Be aware of differing perspectives on policy solutions and be prepared to respond thoughtfully. In all cases, avoid personal attacks or partisan framing. Focus on facts, lived experience, and shared goals related to children, families, and the early childhood workforce.
These tips have been adapted from the guide “Building an Effective Nonpartisan Electoral Strategy,” on the NAEYC website. You can search through the larger guide here.