A Practical Guide for First-Time Candidates in Richmond and Central Virginia

(Richmond City, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and surrounding areas)

Richmond has a political energy all its own. It is a mix of passionate voters, strong community engagement, and a long history of activism. If this is your first run for office in Richmond or Central Virginia, here is a guide to help you get started with confidence.

1. Bring clarity and consistency to your message

Richmond voters appreciate clarity. They want to understand who you are, what you believe, and how you plan to improve the community. You do not need to have every answer on day one, but you do need a clear direction.

Keep your message simple and grounded. You will refine it as you talk to more voters.

2. Printed materials support your ground game in Richmond

Richmond has active volunteers, large canvassing operations, and lots of community events. Printed materials help your team stay consistent.

Most campaigns in Richmond rely heavily on:

• palm cards

• walk cards

• issue one-pagers

• early mail pieces

• a steady supply of yard signs

Having these ready early helps you stay visible in neighborhoods where canvassing is strong.

3. Early voting and urban turnout patterns matter

Richmond and Henrico are some of the most active early voting areas in the state. Plan your outreach calendar around early voting, not just Election Day.

Make sure your printed campaign materials are ready before the first weekend of early voting. If you wait too long, you miss the strongest turnout window of the cycle.

4. Keep your printing and design process simple

Simplify your printing timeline by keeping everything centered in Virginia. It reduces shipping delays and gives you more flexibility. This is especially helpful in a city where campaign narratives change quickly.

Many first time candidates get stuck waiting for materials that arrive late. Avoid that challenge by printing locally whenever possible.

5. Common mistakes candidates make in Richmond

We see these often:

• waiting too long to finalize designs

• inconsistent branding across materials

• underestimating early voting traffic

• printing out of state and losing time

• forgetting to prepare issue-based handouts

Richmond rewards organized candidates with consistent messaging and strong visibility.

Running a campaign in Richmond is an incredible experience. When you stay organized, print your materials early, and keep your message focused on your community, you build trust quickly.

This city values authenticity and consistency. Give voters both, and you will build momentum faster than you expect.