Are You Ready To Run For Elected Office?

Mike Wittenwyler
Attorney at Godfrey & Kahn S.C.

Gain a clear, practical foundation for navigating the legal side of becoming a candidate. With more than 25 years of experience advising organizations across the political and policy landscape, Mike Wittenwyler explains the essential rules every aspiring candidate must understand before entering a race. He breaks down when you are legally considered a candidate, how fundraising triggers regulatory obligations, and the steps required to properly form and manage a campaign committee. You’ll also learn how contribution limits work, what it takes to qualify for the ballot in your state, and how political parties, PACs, super PACs, and nonprofit organizations shape the broader campaign environment.
This session gives you the legal fundamentals to avoid early missteps, ask the right questions, and launch your campaign on solid ground.

Mike Moschella
Executive Director of Analytics – DKC

In this video, Mike Moschella draws on two decades of experience in political campaigns and grassroots organizing to explain what makes democratic engagement truly effective. He emphasizes that strong campaigns are built not around messaging alone, but around meaningful relationships with voters and a deep understanding of local communities.

At the core of his approach is a simple but powerful idea: voters are the protagonists of their own stories. By listening, communicating directly, and thoughtfully engaging supporters, undecided voters, and critics alike, campaigns become smarter, more efficient, and more responsive—ultimately strengthening democracy itself.

Megan E. Green
President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen

In this video, Megan Aaliyah Green—President of the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis—shares her personal journey into elected office and explains why community organizing is the foundation of effective leadership. Drawing on her background in grassroots activism, labor advocacy, and social justice movements, she shows how real change begins with deep, authentic connections to the people you serve.

Megan emphasizes that you don’t need a traditional political background to run for office. What matters most are lived experience, clear values, and a genuine commitment to keeping community voices at the center of every decision. Her message is a powerful encouragement to step forward, lead with integrity, and run for office when your community calls you to serve.

Matt Gill
Thousand Faces Consulting / The Veritus Group

In this session, Matt Gill demystifies fundraising and reframes it as a natural and essential part of launching a successful campaign. He emphasizes that effective fundraising begins with people who already believe in you and your mission—family, friends, trusted colleagues, and early supporters. By intentionally building a core circle of advocates, candidates can create a foundation of trust and momentum that helps expand their movement and bring new supporters into the campaign.

Matt also highlights the importance of personal, one-to-one fundraising conversations. In these moments, the donor—not the candidate—is the hero of the story. People give because they care deeply about solving specific problems and achieving meaningful change. The role of the candidate is to guide donors toward that “hero moment,” helping them see how their contribution directly supports the world they want to help build. Fundraising, Matt concludes, is a human process—and candidates should be confident, bold, and unafraid to invite others to be part of their campaign.

Brett Di Resta

Political and Communications Consultant

In this talk, Brett Desta, a professor at the University of San Francisco and a veteran opposition researcher with more than 30 years of experience, explains the true role of opposition research in modern political campaigns. Having worked on races in 44 states—from local offices to presidential campaigns—and led research efforts for figures such as Senator Chuck Schumer, Desta challenges the common misconception that opposition research is simply about “digging dirt.” Instead, he frames research as the factual backbone of a campaign, informing messaging, communications, fundraising, polling, and overall strategy.

Desta emphasizes that opposition research serves both offensive and defensive purposes. Candidates must first conduct thorough self-research—examining social media history, public records, financial disclosures, and past media coverage—to understand their own vulnerabilities before examining their opponent’s. He highlights how effective research connects information from multiple sources into coherent themes that clearly explain patterns of behavior to voters. When done properly, opposition research protects candidates, strengthens accountability, and ensures that voters are fully informed—reinforcing transparency and integrity in the democratic process.

Patrick Murphey

Attorney and Former State Representative

In this message, Patrick Murphy, former Acting Secretary of the Army under President Obama and the first Iraq War veteran elected to the U.S. Congress, makes a compelling case for why more veterans must step into political public service. He highlights a stark contrast between past and present: after World War II, veterans made up the overwhelming majority of Congress and helped build the modern American economy, while today fewer than one in five members of Congress have military experience. Murphy argues that veterans bring a unique sense of duty, integrity, and a willingness to put country over party—qualities urgently needed to restore trust in American democracy.

Drawing from his own experience, Murphy shares how he entered politics not through wealth or political connections, but out of responsibility. After serving in combat in Iraq and witnessing decisions in Washington that directly harmed service members, he felt compelled to act. His service in Congress focused on giving voice to the post-9/11 generation of veterans and delivering tangible results for them. Murphy closes with a call to action, encouraging veterans to consider running for office or serving as staff—reminding them that leadership, honor, and service do not end when military service ends.