A political campaign is the collective effort of people who support a candidate for a public office. These campaigns range from local or state operations to national operations with hundreds of paid staffers and volunteers. They can last a few months or more than two years, depending on the scope of the election. Campaigns are typically partisan, although some campaigns (typically legislative and ballot initiative campaigns) are non-partisan. Every two years, thousands of federal, state, and local offices are up for election: 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives; 100 U.S. Senators; tens of thousands of state legislators, elected governors, state auditors, treasurers, and attorneys general; and other governmental bodies like county commissioners and mayors.
Working on a campaign can be highly rewarding for anyone who is interested in policy, politics, or the public sector and has an interest in being involved in making change at the grass roots level. However, a career in campaign work may not be right for everyone; it depends on your long-term goals and how flexible you are about committing to a specific party or candidate.
For those looking to become lawyers, a legal career on a political campaign can provide valuable experience in how laws are made and the processes by which they get passed. It’s important to keep in mind that most political jobs are partisan and that switching parties can carry significant reputational and professional costs, especially later in your career.