How To Win A Local Election, Revised: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Grey breaks down campaign functions and issues into small bite sized paragraphs. It's all pretty much covered: fundraising, candidate recruitment, campaign organizations and staff, use of volunteers, election day activities, media, etc., etc. Each chapter focuse right in on the subject with a check list approach to executing each facet of the campaign. The author also provides useful examples of forms and other organizational tools your campaign will want to utilize to organize itself and campaign data.

The style is breezy and matter of fact. Grey uses some of his personal experiences to illustrate his points. This is helpful, since it increases the credibility of the points he's making. The only other book I've found that rivals this "How To" is Beaudry's "Winning Local and State Elections..." Her book is as practically focused but perhaps provides a little more solid framework for the issues presented and is more tightly written. On the other hand, Grey is probably as accessable a book on the subject as one is likely to find.

His appendices are helpful, also. One can pretty much be on their way to structuring a campaign including the campaign plan and schedule thanks to this book. If followed, I suspect candidates will not be able to blame their loss on themselves or their campaign. Some will win due to the promise of superior organization and focus using this book's model will provide.

I'm teaching a course in elective politics at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Center of Government. This is one of the required reading books for the course and is also used by some other teachers in the field at colleges and universities around the country.


Judge Grey Tells You How To Do It   August 13, 1999
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

As a novice campaign manager in a local race for county prosecuting attorney, this book was a godsend. Easy to follow, practical, and detailed, I relied upon the advice given in Judge Grey's book to help lead my candidate on to victory! I highly recommend this book as a guide for anyone looking for sound advice on how to plan and execute a strong campaign for an elected office.


Before you Run, Read This   December 3, 2001
M. Baker (USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

If you have an interest or are planning to run for political office, buy two copys of this book just in case you lose the first one.

The Judge spells out everything you need to know about running a local campaign from getting your name on the ballot to what to do on election day.

Its very understable, easy to read, and highly informative. It will help you in countless ways, such as how to go about fundraising, mailing, signs, door to door campaigning, when to campaign, and how other people can help you.

Following the Judges's years earned advice is your first step to winning.


Great Book for First Time Candidates and Campaigners   October 9, 2005
E. Spencer Garrett IV (Gautier, MS USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have used this book and its predecessor for numerous local campaigns. It is not written at a theoretical level but is a nuts-and-bolts primer for small campaigns. I have other books on the subject, but this is the one I recommend most highly.

I find that many people who want to run for political office at the local level really have no idea about the mechanics of a campaign. By the time they realize that it is no easy task, they are too far gone or too dejected to turn their campaigns around. This book is an excellent guide for them to read before they start. I like the fact that Judge Grey demands a basic analysis of what it will take to win before a candidate commits himself.

I also think the judge's willingness to make recommendations (i.e. don't run as an independent, his insistence that no campaign is too small for a campaign manager) sets his book apart from others. The title of this book is "How to WIN a Local Election", not how to run one. In fact, he capitalizes the word "WIN" himself. Often times these books are written by political science professors who lose sight of the objective of a political campaign-- to "WIN" !

In short, this is an excellent primer for small local campaigns. Good enough that I buy copies to give to potential candidates before they throw their hat in the ring.


A Satisfied Southern Reader   November 15, 2000
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I have worked in several congressional races where money was plentiful and paid media was the name of the game. However, low budget races were a mystery to me until I read this book. Judge Grey gives great tips for getting the most out of every campaign dollar. He helps you work from the mindset of "What do I need?" rather than "What can I buy?" This is a great book for anyone making the transition from "big dollar campaigning" to grassroots campaigning.