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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Agboh, L. (2020). How to plan a political campaign and win elections. Comprehensive roadmap for planning, executing, and winning campaigns at any level. Candidates, campaign managers, and operatives seeking full‑cycle strategy.
Alinsky, S. D. (1971). Rules for radicals. Random House. Classic organizing manual introducing “political jiujitsu” and narrative‑based community organizing. Candidates and organizers in contested terrain who need strategic frameworks.
Baldwin, J. (1962). The creative process. Ridge Press. Foundational essay on the artist’s role in disturbing the peace and shifting how people see reality. Candidates wanting a philosophical grounding for storytelling as social change.
Barrett, R. (2018). Reawakening the soul of the USA: From shadow to renewal. Richard Barrett Publishing. Frames America as wounded yet hopeful, using historical “shadows” to guide renewal toward justice and dignity. Values‑driven candidates and civic leaders crafting democracy‑renewal stories.
Barrett, R. (2022). The new leader: Activating the inner architecture of frequency‑based leadership.Barrett Values Centre. Reframes leadership as soul‑centered, emphasizing presence, coherence, and inner alignment over control. Values‑driven candidates and coaches seeking a consciousness‑based leadership model.
Barrett, R. (2021). The clash of worldviews: Understanding the hidden forces behind global conflict. Barrett Values Centre. Argues global conflict stems from clashes among nine evolving worldviews, offering a macro lens on culture and power. Candidates and civic leaders working across divides who need a worldview framework.
Berry, C. (2026). How Democrats can win big in 2026: A practical playbook for winning elections. Berry Strategies. Partisan playbook structured around Economy, Safety, and Fairness; emphasizes discipline, clarity, and execution. Democratic candidates and staff preparing for the 2026 cycle.
Black, K., & Raphael, J. D.(2019). Represent: The woman’s guide to running for office and changing the world. Workman Publishing. Funny, practical workbook using a 21‑point checklist from deciding to run through fundraising, deadlines, and social media. Women considering a run, first‑time candidates, and those balancing family and campaigning.
Bouchot, H. (2020). A millennial’s guide to running for office: How to get elected without kissing the ring. Lioncrest Publishing. Candid playbook built around his upset local win, aimed at young, first‑time candidates challenging older gatekeepers. Younger candidates and first‑time local office seekers wary of traditional gatekeeping.
Brown, B. (2010). The gifts of imperfection. Hazelden Publishing. Argues vulnerability and authenticity are foundations of trust, not weaknesses. Candidates learning to tell real stories rather than managed performances.
Brown, B. (2015). Daring greatly. Avery. Shows that the willingness to be seen, imperfectly and honestly, is a prerequisite for trust that moves people. Candidates working on authentic presence and coaches helping leaders move past performance.
Buckingham, M., & Clifton, D. O.(2001). Now, discover your strengths. Free Press. Introduces Gallup’s strengths‑based approach: identify and invest in what you naturally do best. Candidates and coaches building leadership identity around natural talents.
Cialdini, R. B. (1984). Influence: The psychology of persuasion. Harper Business. Identifies six universal principles of influence operating below awareness. Candidates and coaches designing persuasion, donor outreach, and voter contact based on behavioral psychology.
Delany, C. (2024). How to use the Internet to change the world—and win elections (2024 ed.). ePolitical Press. Surveys digital and mobile tactics, including new sections on AI, showing how campaigns use online tools to create change and win. Digital directors, communications staff, and candidates building digital‑first strategies.
Dubose, D. T. (2023). America’s ethical archetype: Establishing the psychology of moral authority and correcting our country’s broken politics. Explores moral authority, arguing loud voices often lack true insight and outlining principles for healthy leadership. Leaders and candidates interested in moral authority, ethics, and who is fit to lead.
Duncombe, S. (2007). Dream: Re‑imagining progressive politics in an age of fantasy. The New Press. Argues progressives over‑rely on reason and under‑use spectacle and culture, calling for emotionally compelling movements. Progressive candidates and creatives designing culture‑savvy messaging.
Engle, E. (2022). PACs, activism, & campaign finance law (Book 2). Electioneering Press. Demystifies campaign‑finance rules and PAC structures with accessible guidance on compliance and fundraising. Candidates, treasurers, and activists forming PACs or navigating campaign finance for the first time.
Ganz, M. (2011). Public narrative, collective action, and power. In Accountability through public opinion. World Bank. Definitive articulation of the public narrative framework for story‑based organizing. Academically oriented candidates and coaches wanting the theory behind relational storytelling.
Gottschall, J. (2012). The storytelling animal: How stories make us human. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Shows humans are wired for stories, grounding narrative strategy in neuroscience and psychology. Candidates and communications teams seeking the scientific “why” behind story‑first messaging.
Haidt, J. (2012). The righteous mind. Pantheon Books. Introduces moral foundations theory and explains why values‑based storytelling beats purely rational argument. Candidates building cross‑partisan coalitions and values‑based persuasion.
Heath, C., & Heath, D.(2007). Made to stick. Random House. Identifies six principles that make ideas memorable: simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotion, and story. Message strategists crafting sticky, repeatable campaign messages.
Heifetz, R. A., & Linsky, M.(2002). Leadership on the line. Harvard Business School Press. Distinguishes technical problems from adaptive challenges and explores the risks of leading real change. Experienced candidates and civic leaders facing high‑stakes adaptive work.
Hickman, T., & Hickman, C.(2022). How to get elected to state & local office: A beginner’s guide(3rd ed.). Step‑by‑step guide to running and winning local office, including new rules and digital tools. First‑time local candidates grounding themselves in basics and day‑to‑day operations.
Huxley, C. (2022). Ancient wisdom for modern campaigns: Lessons from Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Applies Sun Tzu and other strategists to modern campaigns, focusing on positioning and resource use. Candidates wanting strategic philosophy, not just tactics.
Issenberg, S. (2012). The victory lab: The secret science of winning campaigns. Crown. Chronicles how data and experiments replaced gut instinct, showing analytics’ role in persuasion and turnout. Strategists, data directors, and candidates curious about behavioral science in campaigns.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Explains dual‑system thinking and why emotional, story‑based communication often beats raw data. Candidates and strategists wanting behavioral science behind narrative persuasion.
Keirsey, D. (1998). Please understand me II: Temperament, character, intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis. Temperament model using brief assessments to reveal personality and preferred styles. Leaders seeking clearer understanding of themselves and others for better communication.
Lakoff, G. (2004). Don't think of an elephant. Chelsea Green Publishing. Introduces cognitive framing and shows why frames, not facts alone, drive persuasion. Democratic candidates and message strategists focused on framing voter perception.
Litman, A. (2017). Run for something: A real‑talk guide to fixing the system yourself. Simon & Schuster. Accessible guide for first‑time, down‑ballot candidates, turning post‑2016 grief into local candidacies. Younger and nontraditional candidates moving from activism to running.
Malchow, H. (2023). Reinventing political advertising. Hal Malchow. Reviews data on ads’ limited effects and proposes retargeting persuadable low‑information voters with redesigned messages. Media consultants and Democratic campaigns focused on persuasion efficiency.
Maxwell, J. C. (2007). The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader. Thomas Nelson. Highlights core inner traits—character, communication, commitment, competence—that draw followers. Leaders building the inner qualities that sustain influence.
Maxwell, J. C. (2018). The self‑aware leader: Play to your strengths, unleash your team. HarperCollins Leadership. Argues self‑awareness is foundational and offers tools to gauge effectiveness and improve relational impact. Leaders linking strengths and personality to daily decisions and team culture.
McKee, R., & Gerace, T.(2018). Storynomics: Story‑driven marketing in the post‑advertising world.Hachette. Shows how brands and campaigns can shift from interruptive ads to narrative‑driven messaging. Communications directors and creative teams building narrative‑first strategies.
Mercurio, Z. (2023). The power of mattering. Berrett‑Koehler. Offers a “notice, affirm, need” framework for helping people feel seen, valued, and needed. Campaign managers and civic leaders building high‑trust, relational cultures.
Pearson, C. (2022). The political playbook: A guide to winning campaigns. CampaignCraft Press. Structured manual covering message, digital, fundraising, field, GOTV, and crisis management. Campaign managers, senior staff, and candidates wanting end‑to‑end guidance.
Poulsen, S. (2019). How to win a campaign or election. DataCampaign Press. Hands‑on guide to data‑driven campaigning: segmentation, message testing, and digital tools.
Campaigns adding data and experimentation to persuasion and targeting.
Rath, T. (2007). Now, discover your strengths. Gallup Press. Focuses on identifying and investing in natural talents instead of fixing weaknesses. Candidates and coaches building authentic leadership around strengths.
Reinsborough, P., & Canning, D.(2017). Re:Imagining change (2nd ed.). PM Press. Introduces narrative power analysis and story‑based strategy for winning campaigns and building movements. Strategists and organizers taking on entrenched narratives.
Sinek, S. (2009). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Portfolio. Shows how clarifying and communicating “why” inspires others and shapes culture. Leaders and candidates aligning inner purpose with outward messaging.
Solnit, R. (2016). Hope in the dark. Haymarket Books. Meditation on maintaining hope and narrative possibility amid daunting obstacles. Candidates and organizers sustaining momentum when change feels slow.
Wikler, B. (2026). This is the plan: How to end America’s meltdown and save democracy. W. W. Norton. Lays out a year‑by‑year field plan for defeating authoritarian politics via joyful, people‑powered organizing. Democratic candidates, organizers, and civic leaders focused on defending democracy.
VIDEOS
To view on YouTube.
A QUICK Way to Find Your WHY Simon Sinek. Believe it or not, you already have a profound impact on the lives of some of the people who are closest to you - you just have to ask! https://youtu.be/e1iQjFMiLuE?si=kir4kR1A1hUkCecL
Start with Why - how great leaders inspire action by Simon Sinek | TEDxPugetSound *A simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership -- starting with a golden circle and the"sn't""queit'stion: "Why?" His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright brothers https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA?si=ab50bBKRj_cUKFAe
Infinite Game by Simon Si"n'te goal isn't to beat your cisn'tp'stition, it's to outlast them. There are 5 practices leaders must adopt to transform their mindset to an infinite one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk7MpiP-sFI&list=PLgCOAz4cqZMROPAsFBt_IWgOmMax6Y24y
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Togethit's'tnd Others Don't. Simon Sinek explains that real leadership is about accepting risk and protecting others, not claiming perks. A true leader earns trust bDDon'ttheir group’s safety and well‑being ahead of their own, unlike a mere authority who only enjoys the benefits of rank. https://youtu.be/ReRcHdeUG9Y?si=z-uCSvvw5aciC9IyTop of FormBottom of FDogroup's If You Don't UnderstDon'teople, You Don't Understand Business by Simon Don't: Simon emphasizes that Don't, authenticity, and meaning are key. As individuals and companies, everything we say and do is a symbol of who we are. And it is only when we communicate our beliefs authentically that we can attract others to our cause and form the bonds that will empower us to achieve truly great things. https://youtu.be/llKvV8_T95M?si=FUr63LBvPMNehH8P
How To Be A Leader Motivational Speech by Simon Sinek https://youtu.be/urrYhnaKvy4?si=LBABHFvcjGocGdoy
Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are by Amy Cuddy – TED. Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that "power posing"—standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel co"fident—can boost confidence and may affect our chances odon'tcess. *Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges https://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc?si=s-P5-MQMzaF5QTEW
How to avoid death by PowerPoint | David JP Phillips | TEDxStockholmSalon *With a seldom seen depth of knowledge and passion for his subject, see the art of making presentations. Book also available at Amazon. https://youtu.be/Iwpi1Lm6dFo?si=MrjNg0JcSe5pUmxp
Storynomics: How to Create a Story That Inspires with Robert McKee. A long‑form conversation/lecture where Robert McKee unpacks how story structure applies to business, showing how to turn data and strategy into persuasive, action‑driving stories—directly aligned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T60z1loEKcY 1 minute clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T60z1loEKcY
Mass Influence - the habits of the highly influential by Teresa de Grosbois | TEDxCanmore *Mass Influence explores the identifiable habits and unspoken etiquette of the highly influential that are a mystery to most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders, yet that anyone can obtain. https://youtu.be/il8fY__WCq8?si=-jul8O5mJUQpCZsQ
Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator by Tim Urban - TED. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes, and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on before we run out of time. https://youtuwe're"rj7oStGLkU?si=iqZm3YEe-9AXC7Dp
Never Split The Difference Summary & Review *This animated Never Split The Difference summary will show you the best negotiation, persuasion, and sales tactics from former FBI negotiator Chris Voss. https://youtu.be/OaEw7ZFs5sU?si=y18H5XaBdFE89q66
How to Win an Election: 9 Political Books that will Help You Master a Campaign, Jay Townsend. Political consultant Jay Townsend walks through nine essential campaign books and the core lessons from each, covering message, targeting, fundraising, and strategy for candidates and campaign staff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5mwTBvdbsw
How To Run A Grassroots Political Campaign training video. Step‑by‑step guidance on launching and running a local, grassroots campaign with limited resources—volunteers, field basics, and voter contact fundamentals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AZzZG9Tsjg
Candidate Training: A playlist of free instructional videos for candidates, covering essentials like filing, messaging, fundraising, and voter outreach—essentially a mini‑course that complements your how‑to campaign books.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9f9dh8OFhql4_kM_3tg9Lf69-M3S9Ieq
Donald Trump (Mind Change): Mom Confession from SNL: Alexander Skarsgard, Cardi B, SNL 51 A mom (Ashley Padilla) shocks her family with a confession. https://youtu.be/-wQhY5CMMl4?si=_vnL6YN31YK77fvf
ASSOCIATIONS
National Democratic Training Committee NDTC helps train Democrats across the country to run, win, and lead. Access online training for candidates, staffers, and political campaign volunteers. https://traindems.org/
National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC) CAWP empowers Democratic candidates, campaign staff, and local leaders with accessible tools, expert training, and online resources to secure victories, anytime, anywhere. https://cawp.rutgers.edu/node/3655 / https://traindems.substack.com/about
DNC National Training Department delivers training to operatives in the field, activists and volunteers, state party leaders and staff, students and youth organizers, candidates and campaign staff, constituency caucus members and community leaders, and so many more. https://democrats.org/volunteer-interest-form/trainings/
Best Practices Institute (DNC) has established a shared training department to deliver training to candidates, activists, organizers, and staff. To access the training materials for candidates, you must apply to join the BPI Victory Vault; resources are not downloadable or shareable. https://democrats.org/volunteer-interest-form/trainings/
Emerge America candidate training programs offer Democratic women the tools and skills they need to run for office — and win. https://emergeamerica.org/candidate-training/
The Grassroots Connector National Democratic Training Committee provides first steps for candidates https://grassrootsconnector.substack.com/p/free-training-for-any-democrat
The DMO Candidate Camp course is tailored for Democratic candidates for local office and their staff. Still, all staff. Those interested in helping elect Democrats to local office are welcome to participate. https://nationaldmo.org/candidatecamp/ Training-programs-for-democrats-who-want-to-run-for-office from bluedotconsulting.us:
Emily’s List trains democratic pro-choice women to run for office. Their online training center is free to use. https://trainingcenter.emilyslist.org/
Emerge bills itself as “the nation’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office”. Their training is primarily in-person, and you must apply to your state’s program and be accepted into the cohort. https://emergeamerica.org/candidate-training/
Non-partisan programs:
Campaign School at Yale University offers a 5-day Summer Session as well as one-day training opportunities. https://www.tcsyale.org
LGBTQ Victory Institute offers an in-person, 4-day training. According to their website, “Trainees learn the necessary skills and strategies by engaging in tough, realistic campaign exercises and working with peers to develop a plan to run for office and win.” Their training spots fill up quickly, so be on the lookout for priority consideration dates to apply. https://victoryinstitute.org/victory-in-salt-lake-city-our-candidate-campaign-training/
She Should Run is a nonprofit that helps women explore running for public office. They offer workshops, networking opportunities, and other resources for women interested in running who want to get started. https://www.sheshouldrun.org/
The Sorensen Institute’s Candidate Training Program for Political Leadership comes from the Sorensen Institute at the University of Virginia. It is a bipartisan training program designed for people interested in running for office or taking on senior roles in campaigns. https://www.coopercenter.org/sorensen/programs
Higher Heights is an organization focused on providing “Black women with a political home exclusively dedicated to harnessing their power to expand Black women’s elected representation and voting participation, and advance progressive policies.” https://www.blackwomenrun.org/about-higher-heights
Vote Run Lead is a bipartisan organization that trains women to run for office through their RUN/51 program. https://voterunlead.org/
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