Announcing your candidacy for sheriff is a crucial first step in the campaign process. It allows you to introduce yourself and your platform to the public, and it lets voters know that they have an option if they are dissatisfied with the current sheriff.
When announcing your campaign, it is important that you are able to fully answer the question: “What are my goals for sheriff department?” You should have a clear understanding of the issues and how you plan to address them as sheriff.
There are several different ways that candidates can prepare for announcing their candidacy.
A campaign website should be created to provide information about you and your platform. This site should include your biography, platform, and contact information. You can also use your website as a place to post press releases, videos, photos and list upcoming events.
A press release should be created to announce your candidacy to the public. It should provide information on the candidate’s background, goals and plans if they are elected. Press releases can be distributed to local newspapers and news organizations in your jurisdictions, as well as published online. The release should include your contact information, along with a link back to your campaign website.
Your announcement should include:
- Your name,
- Your current profession,
- The position you are seeking,
- Why you are qualified to become sheriff, and
- A brief biography.
Use social media to help spread the word. You can post the announcement on Facebook and Twitter, as well as other social media sites that are appropriate for you. Share updates about the issues that matter most to your county or jurisdiction.
It is always a major event when you declare your candidacy – it will put you and your campaign in the spotlight. It’s important to be prepared for the next steps of your campaign, because it only gets tougher!