Running for Office? Answer these questions to see if you could use help running for office.

• Can you clearly articulate to a reporter why you want the job and what you will do with it if you get it?
• Do you have a campaign advertising strategy, in writing, that takes into account the party affiliation, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, income levels, age, major employers, and geographic differences of the jurisdiction where you are running?
• Do you have, in writing, a campaign fundraising plan, and a monthly chart of what you expect to raise from individuals, friends, family, surrogate fundraisers, dinner parties, cocktail parties, small fundraising events, direct mail and social media?
• Have you or a member of your staff constructed a well researched budget that includes money for staff, overhead, office expenses, compliance costs, candidate travel, consultants, polling, website development, an absentee voter program, telephone calls, television, radio, persuasion mail, production expenses and social media?
• Do you have a free press program that includes the names and the contact information of key print reporters, columnists, television and radio outlets and influential bloggers?
• Do you have a website that includes flattering pictures, video posts, a logo, campaign slogan, one that clearly states the reason you are running, what you will do if you win and an up-to-date, accurate biography?

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, then the answer is ‘yes,’ —You could use help running for office.

Am I someone who can help you?

We won’t know until we talk. To make the most of your time I ask that you complete this short questionnaire. After reviewing your special needs I’ll be in touch within 24 hours to schedule a free Skype or phone consultation call. Our conversation will not be a sales pitch. It will be focused solely on your situation, your unique needs and the kind of help that you need.

I have been helping those running for office my entire professional career, and worked in more than 300 campaigns, including those who were:

Running for Governor:

The first obligation of a Governor is to manage a budget, keep taxes down and create a climate in which jobs are created that offer decent wages. Since the majority of most state budgets are spent on education and health care, it is usually imperative the candidates offer a proactive program to improve both.

I help candidates articulate their vision, communicate their message in speeches, debates, media appearances, television, radio and to targeted groups through persuasion mail and social media. I also work closely with campaign staffs and managers to keep the campaign focused on tasks that matter, including a realistic fundraising plan, a budget and a ground operation that will carry the day in a tight election. Read more here

Running for Senate:

Candidates for U.S. Senate are expected to be conversant in economic policy, tax and trade issues, health care, immigration, foreign policy and social issues. They are also expected to withstand difficult television interviews, white hot debates, and countless press encounters where reporters like to ask gotcha questions.

I help candidates devise a comprehensive campaign advertising strategy with the help of established polltakers, develop a compelling slogan, and craft a press and free media plan that keeps them in the news and on nightly television. My services also include speechwriting, debate coaching, television and radio advertising, social media, the development of a fundraising plan, budget and a ground operation. Read more here.

Running for Congress:

A race for Congress is like a U.S. Senate race, only on a smaller scale with more interaction with voters and a more intense ground operation. A message that offers and clear and compelling contrast with your opponent and appeals to critical elements of your election day coalition is imperative. And woe to the candidate who is ill prepared to speak of important state or local issues to reporters and local media.

I help candidates for Congress articulate a compelling reason they want the job, develop an affordable advertising program that may include television, radio, and most certainly will include persuasion mail, social media, and highly targeted advertising. I also help Congressional staffs manage the candidate’s time, develop finely tuned volunteer and ground game operations, and develop fundraising plans and budgets that keep campaigns out of debt and bills paid. Read more here.

Running for State Legislature.

The message and slogan of a candidate for State Senator or State Representative is a product of the district’s demographics, the age, income, education level, partisan affiliation, ideological leanings of the electorate and political environment. Using an adroit analysis of hard data, I help candidates develop a profile of persuadable voters, and target their advertising and ground operations accordingly—using sophisticated walk lists, internet ads, persuasion mail, local newspapers, and endorsements to help them assemble and turn out a victorious election day coalition. Read more here.

Running for Mayor.

Races for Mayor are usually debates about who can best pick up garbage, keep streets and sidewalks clean, parks and playgrounds well kept, neighborhoods safe, zoning rules enforced and the quality of life preserved or improved. More than any other political office in the land, Mayors affect the way people live, their property values and quality of life. I help candidates in both large and small cities develop their campaign message, assemble a coalition of civic and community leaders willing to support their campaign, raise money, develop an advertising campaign that fits their budget and micro-target sections of the electorate and neighborhoods with tailored messages that enhance their appeal. Read more here.

Running for Local Office.

Whether you are running for County Executive, Sheriff, Town Supervisor, City Council or School Board…there are certain elements to your campaign common to all campaigns. I help candidates for local office develop a campaign strategy, conduct opposition research, construct a compelling slogan, target likely voters and reach them through an adroit combination of cable television, radio, persuasion mail, internet ads, social media and local newspapers—based upon a hard budget and fundraising plan that funds it. Read more here.

Are my running for office services right for you?

That is not for me to decide. It is your decision. Our conversation will not be a sales pitch. It will be focused solely on your situation, your unique needs, challenges and the kind of help that you need.

IF you are passionate about your cause, have something to say that you truly believe people need to hear… if you are running for office to make a difference for those you serve, I encourage you to complete the questionnaire. After reviewing your special needs I’ll be in touch within 24 hours to schedule a free one-hour Skype or phone consultation call.

What others say:

At age 28, I was elected Mayor as a Republican in a very democratic city in a very democratic year. It would not have happened without Jay’s political consulting services, his clear direction and the superb work his did as my political consultant.

John Tkazyik
Mayor of Poughkeepsie, NY

The only political consultant in America who has won national awards for his newspaper, television and persuasion mail. A brilliant strategist and tactician who has seen it all and done it at least once.

Mike Collins, Former Press Secretary
Republican National Committee

The persuasion mail pieces he did in the 2008 U.S. Senate race were the best ever done by a political consultant in the State of Alaska.

Wally Hickel, Former Governor
State of Alaska

We were getting hammered in a TV spot and needed Jay’s political consulting services to craft an answer and deliver a lethal blow to our opponent. The spot Jay crafted was brilliant. It quickly sank the campaign of our opponent and to this day remains one of the most remembered political spots ever aired in the State of Vermont.

Tom Moore, Political Director
Jeffords for U.S. Senate Campaign

I’ve have some hard campaigns, and some not so hard campaigns during my many years as the Executive of Campbell County. The one constant has been Jay. No matter the environment, no matter the difficulty of the challenge, he is a political consultant who can easily adapt and construct a unique strategy fitted to the situation. And his mail is superb.

Steve Pendery
Campbell County Judge Executive

I’ve seen political consultant Jay Townsend coach complete novices into the Halls of Congress. He loves what he does. He is very good at what he does.

Mike Long
Chairman Conservative Party of New York

I was a complete and total unknown when we started the campaign. It was not an easy lift. I was taking on an institution and the entire political establishment. Jay never lost faith in me. He had a steely determination that inspired all of us. I defeated an incumbent in the primary by a 2-1 margin, and won the general election in a landslide. The ads Jay did for me received a national award.

Carl DuBois
Sheriff, Orange County, NY