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For first-time candidates
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Fully Virtual
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Join our email list for updates ★ For first-time candidates ★ Fully Virtual ★
Taking the Lead
LEAD PA’s Taking the Lead program is a rigorous, comprehensive, cohort-based training for those considering running for local/county office or the state legislature. These trainings cover the fundamentals of running for office. With insights from campaign professionals and as well as both current and former elected officials, graduates leave these trainings with all of the necessary tools needed to mount a successful campaign.
Read more below about Topics covered & Training fees
Training Information
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Whether you’re committed to running for office next year or just exploring the idea, we encourage you to apply to our upcoming training.
LEAD PA will be hosting a series of campaign trainings for prospective candidates interested in pursuing an elected role at the State Legislature throughout Pennsylvania. LEAD PA's training will introduce and review the mechanics of campaigns: fundraising, direct voter contact, communications, messaging, and more to help prepare candidates to run for office in 2026!
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The trainings will cover a variety of the topics and skills you’ll need to make your campaign a success and will feature experts in each of those subjects. Running a campaign can feel like an insurmountable undertaking, but this series of courses will break it down in a way that’s easy to digest and you’ll complete the weekend feeling ready to announce your candidacy, call donors, write a field plan, and win an election.
OFFICE-SPECIFIC TRAININGS
School Board 2025 – CLOSED: Held by Neighbors for Public Education
Ready for Justice: A comprehensive training program for candidates interested in serving on the benches of Pennsylvania’s Magisterial District Courts
Ready to Govern: For newly elected local officials interested in best practices for collaborative community-driven governance
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Because the services of the facilitators that you receive in this training may be considered an in-kind contribution to an electoral campaign, LEAD PA must assess a nominal training fee.
Our fee of $130 is roughly equivalent to $10 per hour of the Training Intensive. Participants will receive an invoice after the training concludes.
This training fee is an eligible campaign expense. Please consult your campaign treasurer for instructions and reporting requirements to submit the registration fee through your Political Action Committee (PAC).
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At the conclusion of the training program, you will receive a certificate, indicating that you have completed all modules for Taking the Lead.
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Send an email to training@leadpa.org with "TTL Month Yr” (TTL Mar 2026) in the subject line.