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Campaign Strategy

90-Day Campaign Launch Plan

A week-by-week roadmap covering announcement strategy, coalition outreach, earned media, fundraising milestones, and digital presence.

LaunchCampaign PlanTimeline

The 90-Day Framework


The first 90 days of a campaign establish your narrative, build your team, and prove viability to donors and press. Miss this window and you spend the rest of the race catching up.



Days 1–30: Foundation


Week 1 — Declare and Control the Story

  • File your paperwork and appoint your campaign treasurer (required before any fundraising)
  • Draft and rehearse your announcement statement (50 words for press, 2 minutes for video)
  • Brief your inner circle before going public — no one learns about your candidacy from a news alert
  • Post announcement video on social media; send press release to local outlets

    • Week 2 — Build Your Kitchen Cabinet

  • Identify 10–15 advisors (not paid staff): a lawyer, an accountant, a local business leader, a faith community voice, a longtime activist
  • Hold individual 30-minute calls with each — listen more than you talk
  • Ask each: "Who else should I be talking to?"

    • Week 3 — Launch Fundraising

  • Set a 30-day fundraising goal (realistic but ambitious)
  • Call 50 personal contacts — friends, family, former colleagues
  • Do not email until you've called; personal asks convert at 3–5x the rate

    • Week 4 — Digital Infrastructure

  • Launch website (bio, issues, donate button, email signup)
  • Set up campaign Facebook and Instagram
  • Start collecting email addresses at every interaction


    • Days 31–60: Coalition Building


    Week 5–6 — Community Listening Tour

  • Host 6–8 small living room conversations (10–20 people each)
  • Ask: "What's the one thing you wish county government would fix?"
  • Take notes. These become your proof points and policy platform.

    • Week 7–8 — Earned Media Push

  • Pitch your first op-ed to the Waxahachie Daily Light
  • Request meetings with editorial boards
  • Attend 2–3 public events per week; introduce yourself to everyone


    • Days 61–90: Momentum and Visibility


    Week 9–10 — Endorsement Strategy

  • Identify the 5 endorsements that matter most in your race
  • Prepare your endorsement ask: brief, specific, and in person
  • Announce endorsements in batches for maximum media coverage

    • Week 11–12 — Field and Visibility

  • Launch yard sign distribution to early supporters
  • Begin door-knocking in high-turnout precincts
  • Set up voter contact tracking (spreadsheet or basic CRM)


    • 90-Day Milestones Checklist


  • Filed paperwork and appointed campaign treasurer
  • Announcement made with press coverage
  • 30-day fundraising goal hit
  • Website live with donate button
  • 500+ email subscribers
  • 3+ endorsements secured
  • Op-ed published in local press
  • 200+ doors knocked

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