Norm Olsen

LPCO's Campaigns

Norm Olsen is the Campaigns Director.

We are now recruiting candidates for 2010.
Please email the Campaigns Director at:

if you are interested in running for office as a Libertarian candidate.

If you have a good understanding of libertarian principles and you are good at presenting your Libertarian views to other people, running for office as a Libertarian may be right for you. The LPCO has training videos that can help you run for office. Libertarian Candidates also need volunteers including candidate trainees, campaign managers, campaign manager trainees, treasurers, volunteer coordinators, web masters, graphic designers, walking list creators, yard sign managers, phone blast software trainees, door knockers, district walkers and sign wavers.

If you are interested in running for a political office in Colorado as a Libertarian or helping with a Libertarian campaign, please contact us:

Candidates Guide: Preparing to Run

What do I say?

Just think through why you are running in the first place. Start with some basic self-examination. Why am I doing this? And what do I want to accomplish? You want to be perceived as somebody who wants to DO SOMETHING, not someone who wants to BE SOMETHING. You are not running so you can be a congressman or a councilman. You are running because you want to help change things. Be clear why you are running, because you are going to be required to answer that question over and over again. You want to be able to look the questioner in the eye and honestly explain why. It's an important part of your message. We have found that tying your campaign in with an issue that everyone is currently passionate about (such as Ref C & D last year) is very helpful in defining your campaign and your base of supporters.

Do your homework on the basic issues. This is not the same as simply reading the newspaper and forming your own opinions. You must have an informed, credible opinion that you can defend under fire. And you should also learn the other side of the debate. You don't have to agree with any of it, of course, but you should understand it for argument's sake. Also, you should understand the emotional and personal dimensions to these issues. For example, the issue of tax increases. In many cases people aren't interested in hearing you detail a complex policy filled with fiscal projections. What they really want to know is: where is your heart on this issue? Do you care about them? Do you share their fears? If you do, then they are ready emotionally to hear your facts and figures. If you don't care; then maybe they've got better things to do than to listen to you. That's human nature.

As for your opponent, your challenge is to offer a strong contrast: watchdog for the taxpayer versus wasteful spender, new energy versus tired status quo, new ideas versus failed policies, etc. Contrast is vital. Otherwise voters see no reason to fire the incumbent and hire someone new.

Write, or ask someone to write, a one-page biography about you. You want it to demonstrate that you are capable - that you have met problems and dealt with them successfully. You want it to reveal that you are very much a part of the community you aspire to represent. Places and people; organizations and causes; significant awards and achievements should be mentioned. And certainly you want to include your family. I would just emphasize one crucial point: Every phase of this bio should be 100% accurate. You can bet it will be analyzed with great scrutiny by the opposition. And if there is anything inflated or misstated or misleading, you can have real trouble with reporters. Many campaigns have self-destructed this way. When in doubt about the accuracy of your bio, be modest and be cautious.

What do I do?

Understand the responsibilities of being a candidate. As the candidate, you are highest power in the campaign. You are the chief fundraiser and vote getter. Everything revolves around you. With all of that comes enormous responsibility. Not only do you have to go out and campaign, but you have to be able to provide leadership for the rest of the team. You're going to be picking and choosing people for the campaign, but it is your name alone on the ballot. So you want to make sure that what is going on in your name is good. You need people who are competent and trustworthy. You won't have time to be micro-managing them.

When you're looking for a campaign manager, remember that the job description is not the same as for a corporate manager. Indeed, running a campaign is more of an entrepreneurial job. You need the instincts of an entrepreneur - creating something out of nothing, rather than simply managing resources that already exist.

Talk to your "kitchen cabinet" - unpaid, unofficial advisors to help keep the campaign on course. Sometimes a candidate benefits from listening to old friends and trusted colleagues, political or not, people who know you; people who can say "no" to your face; allies who would fight for you during the campaign. You can often use such a group to help make major decisions - decisions about the use of time, money and talent.

Have good quality photographs taken of you and your family. You will need them for the press kits, brochures, etc. You'll need them in digital format, handy on a CD. Above all, you must look trustworthy. Men, get an expensive haircut and get rid of the facial hair. It worked for Abe Lincoln, but it won't work for you. Look around at other people who have been elected; they were all very well groomed. There's a reason for that. Ladies, get a fresh new hairdo, one that looks current. Not the same hair you've had since the 70's. Never underestimate the value of your appearance. You're being judged by it too.

Start raising money immediately, waiting is a mistake. Make a list of those folks you could approach for a contribution. Start with friends, family, business associates and ask for a check, not a pledge. You don't want to be chasing people for checks they would have given you in the first place if only you'd asked. Don't make fundraising more complicated than it has to be. Just get started. The trick is, just do it. Ask, ask, ask.

A final thought, elections are a very tough, demanding business. You're going to have highs and lows - and you need the stamina to get through it. You also need to pace yourself - that's important. What's most important is just do the very best you can, because win or lose, you live with yourself afterwards. You will return to your family and friends who respect you for having had the courage to enter the arena and fight for your beliefs. Then, there's the next campaign. So enjoy the adventure of it all; the unpredictability, the unexpected excitement, and the many new friends you will make.