Fifteen candidates, including several support staff, learned the nuts and bolts of running for public office. The candidates heard everything from fundraising to designing flyers, using social media, working with the media and hiring staff.
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) hosted the Campaign Seminar event Feb. 1-2 at the Delta Colonial Hotel in Helena, MT. American Farm Bureau’s Director of Advocacy and Political Management, Mike Sistak, taught the comprehensive course.
“The campaign school was designed to help anybody who has never been in the political process before, or maybe they have run before, but want to see what they can improve upon,” said Sistak. “Participants learn things like fundraising and selecting their issues. American Farm Bureau created this program with both political parties, former elected officials and political consultants. We designed it to be non-partisan and want it to help people run on issues important to their communities.”
Sistak hopes the main takeaway from the training is the issues a candidate selects. “In the environment we live in, there is so much focus on what is said in Washington and nationally that people lose sight of what matters at home. Your county supervisor, town council, school board, and state legislatures play a crucial role in the community. We tell the participants to select issues that matter to your community.”
This is the first time at the training for Rep. Gary Parry (R-Colstrip), who explained that he initially signed up when he had an opponent in the primary; however, since signing up, his slated opponent took a governmental job, leaving Parry without opposition.
“I thought the school was very worthwhile, and I learned several new ideas, including how essential face-to-face interaction is when campaigning and how critical multiple mailings are to let constituents know what you are doing,” Parry said.
The state representative noted that although he was elected for House District (HD) 39, his district has been changed to HD 35, which covers from Huntley to Miles City and from the northern border of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation to the southern shore of Fort Peck Reservoir totaling 10,800 people.
“I plan to send out mailings based on what I’ve learned at the campaign training,” Parry noted. “The feedback you receive at this school is excellent. The content is concise but comprehensive and deals with all possible aspects you can use in campaigning.”
Josh Senecal, a rancher from Ronan, attended the campaign seminar in 2022 to see what it was all about and to decide if getting involved in local politics was an option. This year, he was back, having filed to run for county commissioner.
“The whole two days were excellent and well worth my time. We learned how to run for office from start to finish and study the commitment it takes to run a successful campaign,” said Senecal, president of Northwest Counties Farm Bureau.
“I strongly recommend this training for anyone running for office or even thinking about throwing their hat in the ring. Even though this is the second time I attended, I learned so much that is truly applicable now that I am running for office.” — MFBF
