How to get Elected to State Local Office: A beginner's guide

As a beginner’s guide, How to get Elected to State & Local Office, serves as a “how to” manual for someone who is interested in running for office for the first time or a candidate looking to improve the way they campaign. It offers advice on the most effective and efficient use of both time and money in a bid for a local office whether that office is a paying office or not.

How to get Elected to State & Local Office provides a realistic approach that begins with advice on community activism, includes tips on fundraising, volunteers, creating a winning strategy, executing the hard work necessary day to day in a campaign and so much more.

This book is a practical guide for the idealist. It’s written for the person who believes in an inclusive democracy and is committed to working to improve the lives of people beginning with our communities.


This second edition contains updates based on lessons learned as a result of the 2018 election cycle. It also includes a glossary of terms.

Timothy Hickman had had a passion for politics beginning as early as eight years old when he “worked” the polls with his uncle. His interest in politics advanced further as a young boy listening to the spirited political conversations around the family dinner table.

He was twenty-four years old the first time he ran for office. Timothy Hickman has served as a Delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates, and as a Senator in the Maryland State Senate. He has also served as a Member of the Baltimore County Democratic State Central Committee and as a Member of the Maryland Democratic Party State Executive Board. He served as an Alternate Member of the Baltimore County Board of Elections. Timothy Hickman teaches political science at the Community College of Baltimore County and is a campaign consultant.

Catherine Hickman has listened attentively to Tim’s many interesting stories concerning the people, the commitment and the tough grind that went into a run for local office. On more than one occasion she mentioned that there was a book in the wealth of information he shared with her and a few others.

She has worked professionally in advertising and marketing for newspapers and a direct mail publication including a stint for The Washington Post where she traveled nationally for the paper and later worked as The National Account Manager in New York and then Sales Manager of the New York office. She is a member of a Writers Group and the owner of CRH Marketing Solutions where she helps independently owned businesses market.

Timothy and Catherine reside in Baltimore County, Maryland and whenever possible escape to Marathon in the Florida Keys.