Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:14:05 -0400 http://www.OrganizingtoWin.com en-us © 2026 Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office yes 567f615a-79ab-519c-a4ad-5c5108ecd2bc jimmytickey@gmail.com Jimmy Tickey serial false If Democracy is worth fighting for, then it starts with each of us. Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office is the audio version of the top-selling book teaching you how to manage a campaign, and run for public office. From messaging and fundraising to voter contact, scheduling, and public speaking, Jimmy Tickey teaches candidates, staff, and volunteers how to organize a political campaign.


Written - and narrated - by Jimmy Tickey, a trusted political voice, providing guidance to local, state, and federal campaigns. Blending political strategy with public service, Jimmy Tickey is the Vice Chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party and elected member of the Democratic National Committee. A campaign manager, elected official, party leader, and staff member to government officials, Jimmy understands firsthand where politics meets policy: organizing. 


Each episode will teach you how-to discover your purpose, unlock potential, and harness power by entering the political arena. Are you ready to meet the moment?

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) managing a campaign, political campaign, local government, campaigning for office, running for office, Jimmy Tickey jimmytickey@gmail.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/03c6l2tz6653r1o18sfz5zpikflk?.jpg Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office http://www.OrganizingtoWin.com Surprises, Setbacks, and Spin Surprises, Setbacks, and Spin With a fractured media environment, people believe whatever they see while scrolling on their phones must be true as they are surrounded by an ecosystem of messages that match their already held beliefs; an agreeable algorithm. Your online ecosystem will tell you just what you want to hear. How do political campaigns handle this? 

In this episode, we will talk in-depth about getting ahead of surprises, handling campaign setbacks, dealing with misinformation and disinformation, and monitoring your opponent. From debates to hecklers and spin, we've got a lot to cover! 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.



]]> With a fractured media environment, people believe whatever they see while scrolling on their phones must be true as they are surrounded by an ecosystem of messages that match their already held beliefs; an agreeable algorithm. Your online ecosystem will tell you just what you want to hear. How do political campaigns handle this? 

In this episode, we will talk in-depth about getting ahead of surprises, handling campaign setbacks, dealing with misinformation and disinformation, and monitoring your opponent. From debates to hecklers and spin, we've got a lot to cover! 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.



]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19505022 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 1154 1 17 full false Welcome to Headquarters Welcome to Headquarters Your campaign headquarters is your home, and you have guests—volunteers—coming over every day, so you need an inviting place where people want to be. Secure a campaign headquarters as a gathering place for staff and volunteers, as well as a visible location to gather in your community. In this episode, we will cover headquarters management, and how to have a volunteer and intern program while matching volunteer interests with the needs of your campaign. Listen to hear how you can have a buzzing headquarters with volunteers! 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Your campaign headquarters is your home, and you have guests—volunteers—coming over every day, so you need an inviting place where people want to be. Secure a campaign headquarters as a gathering place for staff and volunteers, as well as a visible location to gather in your community. In this episode, we will cover headquarters management, and how to have a volunteer and intern program while matching volunteer interests with the needs of your campaign. Listen to hear how you can have a buzzing headquarters with volunteers! 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19504994 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 362 1 16 full false Campaign Management Campaign Management Chaos is defined as disorder, but a good campaign manager will manage political chaos into organization, where everything has a place, everyone has a role, and every day is maximized with the plans for mobilization, money, and message. In this episode, you will learn how to manage the candidate, staff, volunteers, consultants, stakeholders, and projects for a local or state political campaign. A campaign manager is a big role with one goal: win. In this episode we will cover everything you need to know about leading a political campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Chaos is defined as disorder, but a good campaign manager will manage political chaos into organization, where everything has a place, everyone has a role, and every day is maximized with the plans for mobilization, money, and message. In this episode, you will learn how to manage the candidate, staff, volunteers, consultants, stakeholders, and projects for a local or state political campaign. A campaign manager is a big role with one goal: win. In this episode we will cover everything you need to know about leading a political campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19504929 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 791 1 15 full false Please Say a Few Words Please Say a Few Words Public speaking tells a story with a beginning, middle, and an end, ultimately asking for action. Good remarks will emphasize what you stand for and remind people who you are as you are running for office. Since you are an authentic candidate running to make things better, you want listeners to conclude that you would be the right person for this position. In this episode we will discuss speech writing, public speaking, and connecting with voters. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Public speaking tells a story with a beginning, middle, and an end, ultimately asking for action. Good remarks will emphasize what you stand for and remind people who you are as you are running for office. Since you are an authentic candidate running to make things better, you want listeners to conclude that you would be the right person for this position. In this episode we will discuss speech writing, public speaking, and connecting with voters. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19472595 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400 717 1 14 full false Communications 24/7 Communications 24/7 You will be discussing your candidacy in various ways every day, whether it’s seeing someone in the market, knocking on a door, or speaking at a forum, and you should bring these conversations back to your central theme, or top-line message. In this episode we will teach you basic communications and cover all the ways a political candidate can talk with voters: TV, radio, online advertising, social media, paid phone calls, text messaging, direct mail, billboards, yard signs, podcasts, emerging and niche platforms, and traditional press.

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> You will be discussing your candidacy in various ways every day, whether it’s seeing someone in the market, knocking on a door, or speaking at a forum, and you should bring these conversations back to your central theme, or top-line message. In this episode we will teach you basic communications and cover all the ways a political candidate can talk with voters: TV, radio, online advertising, social media, paid phone calls, text messaging, direct mail, billboards, yard signs, podcasts, emerging and niche platforms, and traditional press.

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19472580 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 1249 1 13 full false Plan and Budget Plan and Budget Raising dollars for your campaign is important, but whats more important is how you are spending each dollar, and at what frequency. You don’t need to be a financial expert to realize that every week you will have money flowing into your campaign, and expenditures going out. All expenses and funds raised should be tracked closely to see how you are doing compared to your goals. In this episode we will discuss how to form a budget, make a fundraising plan and ensure it lasts through the election. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Raising dollars for your campaign is important, but whats more important is how you are spending each dollar, and at what frequency. You don’t need to be a financial expert to realize that every week you will have money flowing into your campaign, and expenditures going out. All expenses and funds raised should be tracked closely to see how you are doing compared to your goals. In this episode we will discuss how to form a budget, make a fundraising plan and ensure it lasts through the election. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19472564 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 1064 1 12 full false Asking for Money Asking for Money You think you can’t ask someone for money, yet you can ask someone for advice, a favor, even for a vote. The truth is you are starting an enterprise with this political campaign, and you need to have funds to make it operate. Fundraising should start on the day you announce your campaign. Through this entrepreneurial venture of running for office, shift your thinking from asking someone for money to having them invest in this effort. A good fundraising program will raise the funds to compete, develop lasting relationships, and provide a well of support you can return to in the future. Let's discuss political fundraising...

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> You think you can’t ask someone for money, yet you can ask someone for advice, a favor, even for a vote. The truth is you are starting an enterprise with this political campaign, and you need to have funds to make it operate. Fundraising should start on the day you announce your campaign. Through this entrepreneurial venture of running for office, shift your thinking from asking someone for money to having them invest in this effort. A good fundraising program will raise the funds to compete, develop lasting relationships, and provide a well of support you can return to in the future. Let's discuss political fundraising...

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19472553 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 787 1 11 full false Comfortable Shoes Comfortable Shoes Door knocking is an opportunity for you to look a voter in their eyes and welcome their participation in public policy, and there is no better way than it coming from the candidate at the voter’s doorstep. Once you start door knocking, you will see why this community-building effort can make all the difference in a political campaign. Voters will remember a connection with a candidate, and more than what you said, they will remember how you made them feel.  In this episode we will cover everything you need to know about door knocking! 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.



]]> Door knocking is an opportunity for you to look a voter in their eyes and welcome their participation in public policy, and there is no better way than it coming from the candidate at the voter’s doorstep. Once you start door knocking, you will see why this community-building effort can make all the difference in a political campaign. Voters will remember a connection with a candidate, and more than what you said, they will remember how you made them feel.  In this episode we will cover everything you need to know about door knocking! 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.



]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19439147 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 1174 1 10 full false Reaching Voters Reaching Voters Meeting people where they are means speaking to them physically where they are: on a doorstep, at an event, online; and emotionally where they are: their perceptions, feelings, and frustrations. In fact, good campaigning is more listening, and less talking. Before we go out there and meet voters, remember we are in a fast-paced society, and people seem to be getting busier, don’t they? Placing a candidate in front of them—and getting a positive reaction—takes work, but it will make all the difference to winning your race. In this episode we will cover all the ways a candidate can reach voters. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.


]]> Meeting people where they are means speaking to them physically where they are: on a doorstep, at an event, online; and emotionally where they are: their perceptions, feelings, and frustrations. In fact, good campaigning is more listening, and less talking. Before we go out there and meet voters, remember we are in a fast-paced society, and people seem to be getting busier, don’t they? Placing a candidate in front of them—and getting a positive reaction—takes work, but it will make all the difference to winning your race. In this episode we will cover all the ways a candidate can reach voters. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.


]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19439089 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 678 1 9 full false Universe of Data Universe of Data Investments in technology by national parties have allowed campaigns to access voter databases that provide valuable information. What you do with that data is the science behind your campaign, and it will make all the difference as you keep it up to date. We'll cover what you need to know about forming your universe of voters, and how you can really learn about your district. Don’t assume you know your district simply because you live there. We'll cover the tips you need to know as you set out on your campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Investments in technology by national parties have allowed campaigns to access voter databases that provide valuable information. What you do with that data is the science behind your campaign, and it will make all the difference as you keep it up to date. We'll cover what you need to know about forming your universe of voters, and how you can really learn about your district. Don’t assume you know your district simply because you live there. We'll cover the tips you need to know as you set out on your campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19439072 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 828 1 8 full false Hello, Candidate Hello, Candidate Running for office is an entrepreneurial effort as you are building an organization from scratch. This requires a vision, human capital, resources, and a goal-oriented plan to meet benchmarks with a timeline. Being a candidate demands being creative, resourceful, disciplined, and motivated to lead through pressures and setbacks. Making your announcement official and establishing your campaign with a strong team—from your kitchen cabinet to staff and volunteers—will set you up for success as the days on the campaign trail intensify. In this episode we will discuss your campaign structure, questions to ask yourself and your team, and a review a checklist before announcing your candidacy. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Running for office is an entrepreneurial effort as you are building an organization from scratch. This requires a vision, human capital, resources, and a goal-oriented plan to meet benchmarks with a timeline. Being a candidate demands being creative, resourceful, disciplined, and motivated to lead through pressures and setbacks. Making your announcement official and establishing your campaign with a strong team—from your kitchen cabinet to staff and volunteers—will set you up for success as the days on the campaign trail intensify. In this episode we will discuss your campaign structure, questions to ask yourself and your team, and a review a checklist before announcing your candidacy. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19412672 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400 713 1 7 full false Visibility is Viability Visibility is Viability Representative democracy is a bedrock American principle that, when fulfilled, guarantees every person a voice in this citizen government. When you have a diverse array of individuals making decisions about policy impacting families, you create a full view of the community and the needs of its people. Taken together, elected officials from different ideologies and backgrounds will generate more perspectives and ideas, which leads to greater learnings and discourse, whether it’s on a board, town council, or state legislature. New kinds of candidates are engaging in our politics, and they are winning. In this episode we will discuss candidacies from historically underrepresented groups. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Representative democracy is a bedrock American principle that, when fulfilled, guarantees every person a voice in this citizen government. When you have a diverse array of individuals making decisions about policy impacting families, you create a full view of the community and the needs of its people. Taken together, elected officials from different ideologies and backgrounds will generate more perspectives and ideas, which leads to greater learnings and discourse, whether it’s on a board, town council, or state legislature. New kinds of candidates are engaging in our politics, and they are winning. In this episode we will discuss candidacies from historically underrepresented groups. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19412668 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 555 1 6 full false Decision to Win Decision to Win At this point in your political campaign, you’ve taken inventory of what drives you in this authentic journey to make a positive difference in your district. You have thought about what office you may run for, and know what kind of race it will be. You’ve met the local political party and are thinking about how you will get on the ballot. When you make that decision to run, you’re also making the decision to win. 

In this episode, we will cover several important exercises you must carry out as you decide to run, and decide to win in this campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> At this point in your political campaign, you’ve taken inventory of what drives you in this authentic journey to make a positive difference in your district. You have thought about what office you may run for, and know what kind of race it will be. You’ve met the local political party and are thinking about how you will get on the ballot. When you make that decision to run, you’re also making the decision to win. 

In this episode, we will cover several important exercises you must carry out as you decide to run, and decide to win in this campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19412652 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 679 1 5 full false Life of the Party Life of the Party One does not decide to just run for office and suddenly they are on the ballot. There are a few ways to get onto the ballot, and we will discuss the importance of getting involved in your local political party just as you got involved in your community. One thing is certain: the major political party you belong to has something you need, and that’s access to the ballot. Let's talk political parties and what you need to do to earn their ballot line as you run for office. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.


]]> One does not decide to just run for office and suddenly they are on the ballot. There are a few ways to get onto the ballot, and we will discuss the importance of getting involved in your local political party just as you got involved in your community. One thing is certain: the major political party you belong to has something you need, and that’s access to the ballot. Let's talk political parties and what you need to do to earn their ballot line as you run for office. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.


]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19408957 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400 804 1 4 full false What's Your Why? What's Your Why? Authenticity is derived from feeling a passion for your purpose; that you are enthusiastic about your purpose! As a political candidate, you don’t need to come out on your first day of campaigning with every policy position, but you need to have a sense of who you are, why you want to run, and why you’re the right person for the role. In this episode we will review types of campaigns, levels of government, and figure out where you best fit so you can connect your interests with running for the right public office.

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Authenticity is derived from feeling a passion for your purpose; that you are enthusiastic about your purpose! As a political candidate, you don’t need to come out on your first day of campaigning with every policy position, but you need to have a sense of who you are, why you want to run, and why you’re the right person for the role. In this episode we will review types of campaigns, levels of government, and figure out where you best fit so you can connect your interests with running for the right public office.

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19408944 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 06:00:00 -0400 766 1 3 full false Two Ears and One Mouth Two Ears and One Mouth In thinking about running for office, it helps to be rooted in your community. Being born and raised in the town comes with advantages like a known network, but if you are not from the town, then get involved first – don’t just parachute into town and run. Make it a goal to show up and accomplish something before you run for office. Approach this with an interest in learning about your community while being inquisitive about processes, people and organizations. In this episode, you will learn how to lay the groundwork for a political campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> In thinking about running for office, it helps to be rooted in your community. Being born and raised in the town comes with advantages like a known network, but if you are not from the town, then get involved first – don’t just parachute into town and run. Make it a goal to show up and accomplish something before you run for office. Approach this with an interest in learning about your community while being inquisitive about processes, people and organizations. In this episode, you will learn how to lay the groundwork for a political campaign. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19408896 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 749 1 2 full false Introduction Introduction Our democracy hangs in the balance with a billionaire-class making decisions to give tax breaks to the richest corporations; while the programs working families count on are slashed. Prices for essential items rise, as everyday people work harder and harder to make ends meet. This leads people to grow cynical about government, and their elected representatives. 

Our Democracy was created with the expressed call for an engaged citizenry, one where citizens participate, hold officials accountable, and even run for office. Democracy starts with you, so listen to our first episode and learn how to get involved in the political arena. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Our democracy hangs in the balance with a billionaire-class making decisions to give tax breaks to the richest corporations; while the programs working families count on are slashed. Prices for essential items rise, as everyday people work harder and harder to make ends meet. This leads people to grow cynical about government, and their elected representatives. 

Our Democracy was created with the expressed call for an engaged citizenry, one where citizens participate, hold officials accountable, and even run for office. Democracy starts with you, so listen to our first episode and learn how to get involved in the political arena. 

Learn more about Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office - including free downloadable guides - by visiting OrganizingtoWin.com.

]]> Jimmy Tickey Buzzsprout-19408811 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:00:00 -0400 492 1 1 full false