How To Win A Local Election, Revised: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide [Paperback]

Judge Lawrence Grey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 1999

Revised and updated, this is the most practical, most detailed handbook ever published on the techniques and approaches you need to run a successful campaign for any local office.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Though Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour and former head of the Democratic National Committee David Wilhelm disagree about most issues, both supply forewords to this nuts-and-bolts, do-it-yourself guide to running for and winning one of the nation's more than 500,000 local offices. Grey, an appeals court judge in Ohio who has served for nearly two decades in various elective offices, has a .667 batting average (he won four of the six campaigns he waged). Opening with the decision to run, his manual spells out the details of planning and organizing a campaign, recruiting staff and volunteers, and making effective use of basic campaign procedures and techniques: literature, mailing lists, newspapers, radio and TV, yard signs, billboards, and doorbell ringing. Appendixes provide a glossary, a list of state election officers, and sample worksheets and forms that walk the would-be candidate through the process Grey recommends. Timely, practical advice for readers who feel they have something to contribute to their local schools, parks, water districts, municipalities, or counties. Mary Carroll --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: M.Evans & Company; Revised Updated edition (February 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871318784
• ISBN-13: 978-0871318787
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What it Claims: Truly a Step By Step Guide, April 2, 2001

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How To Win A Local Election, Revised: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide (Paperback)

Someone who wants to be a first time candidate for local office would do well by reading Judge Grey's book. He's actually run and won. As someone else who has won local elections (six for the State House), I can attest to the usefulness of this book.

Grey breaks down campaign functions and issues into small bite sized paragraphs. It's all pretty much covered: fundraising, candidate recruitment, campaign organizations and staff, use of volunteers, election day activities, media, etc., etc. Each chapter focuse right in on the subject with a check list approach to executing each facet of the campaign. The author also provides useful examples of forms and other organizational tools your campaign will want to utilize to organize itself and campaign data.

The style is breezy and matter of fact. Grey uses some of his personal experiences to illustrate his points. This is helpful, since it increases the credibility of the points he's making. The only other book I've found that rivals this "How To" is Beaudry's "Winning Local and State Elections..." Her book is as practically focused but perhaps provides a little more solid framework for the issues presented and is more tightly written. On the other hand, Grey is probably as accessable a book on the subject as one is likely to find.

His appendices are helpful, also. One can pretty much be on their way to structuring a campaign including the campaign plan and schedule thanks to this book. If followed, I suspect candidates will not be able to blame their loss on themselves or their campaign. Some will win due to the promise of superior organization and focus using this book's model will provide.

I'm teaching a course in elective politics at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Center of Government. This is one of the required reading books for the course and is also used by some other teachers in the field at colleges and universities around the country.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judge Grey Tells You How To Do It, August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How To Win A Local Election, Revised: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide (Paperback)

As a novice campaign manager in a local race for county prosecuting attorney, this book was a godsend. Easy to follow, practical, and detailed, I relied upon the advice given in Judge Grey's book to help lead my candidate on to victory! I highly recommend this book as a guide for anyone looking for sound advice on how to plan and execute a strong campaign for an elected office.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before you Run, Read This, December 2, 2001

By 

Mike B. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Win A Local Election, Revised: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide (Paperback)

If you have an interest or are planning to run for political office, buy two copys of this book just in case you lose the first one.

The Judge spells out everything you need to know about running a local campaign from getting your name on the ballot to what to do on election day.

Its very understable, easy to read, and highly informative. It will help you in countless ways, such as how to go about fundraising, mailing, signs, door to door campaigning, when to campaign, and how other people can help you.

Following the Judges's years earned advice is your first step to winning.