The Campaign Trail: A Summer Training Series on How to Run for Office & Govern Effectively
Presented by WORC’s Grassroots Democracy Program
Online on June 30, July 28, & August 25, 2025
5:30 – 7 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Learn from current and former elected officials and political campaign experts about how and why they decided to run for office, their tips on running an effective campaign, and how to govern effectively. No matter if you’re considering an office at your rural electric co-op or at the school, city, county, or even the state level, our training series will take you through the steps – all the way from deciding whether or not to run to effectively governing after you win.
Each session will feature elected officials and campaign experts from around the West who have firsthand experience in managing campaigns, running for office, winning elections, and governing. Moderators include WORC Political Director and former La Plata County (Colorado) Commissioner Gwen Lachelt and WORC Political Campaign Coordinator Kendal Pittman.
How to Run for Office: Part One
June 30, 2025
Perhaps you haven’t quite decided yet that you’re going to run for office. We’ll help you make that decision by helping you understand:
- What are the characteristics and qualifications I need to run for office?
- Am I ready to run?
- What does it take to run and what am I going to need?
We’ll also dig into why now it really is more important than ever to run for office, build governing power, and protect and strengthen democracy.
Speakers:
Katie Sullivan, Montana State Representative and House Minority Leader
Stacie Anderson, Missoula City Councilor, Montana
Kevin Williams, Delta-Montrose Electric Association board member, Colorado
Registration closed
How to Run for Office: Part Two
July 28, 2025
5:30 – 7 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Developing your campaign plan, building your team, fundraising, get out the vote (GOTV), and other helpful tips for running an effective campaign.
Speakers:
Shelly Fyant, Montana State Representative and former Chair of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Nicole Uhre-Balk, South Dakota State Representative
Neri Holguin, Holguin Campaigns and Communications, New Mexico
Join us and learn how these elected officials and campaign experts approached their campaigns:
- Why did they decide to run for their seat and and what was their recipe for winning?
- What are the key components of a successful campaign?
- What tactics did they use to contact voters and why did they choose those tactics?
Moderated by: Gwen Lachelt, WORC Political Director & Kendal Pittman, WORC Political Campaign Coordinator
Register today!
Registration closed
How to Run for Office: Part Three – Effective Governance
August 25, 2025
5:30 – 7 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Join us for a lively conversation about what makes an elected official effective, navigating real-world challenges in governance and learning from experienced officials – with personal stories from Margie MacDonald, Elise Jones and Josh Joswick.
Speakers:
- Margie MacDonald – former Montana State Representative and State Senator
- Elise Jones – former Boulder County Commissioner, Colorado
- Josh Joswick – former La Plata County Commissioner, Colorado
We’ll cover the gamut of effective governance – including what it means to take the oath of office, governing in the age of political violence and toxic politics, accomplishing the goals you championed during your campaign, and the constitution necessary for long meetings, problem-solving, and the art of compromise.