
The Campaign Manager
Running and Winning Local Elections
Catherine Shaw(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
7th Edition
Will be published approx. on 18. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
332 pages
978-1-032-65832-2 (ISBN)
Description
Successful campaign manager and three-term mayor of Ashland, Oregon, Catherine Shaw presents the must-have handbook for navigating local campaigns.
This clear and concise handbook gives political novices and veterans alike a detailed plan for organizing, funding, publicizing, and winning local political campaigns. Finding the right message and targeting the right voters are clearly explained through specific examples, anecdotes, and illustrations. Shaw also provides in-depth information on assembling campaign teams and volunteers, canvassing, how to conduct a precinct analysis, and how to campaign on a shoestring budget.
Cutting through the noise of the contemporary political climate, Shaw reveals how working to build community and connection remains key to winning local elections.
This clear and concise handbook gives political novices and veterans alike a detailed plan for organizing, funding, publicizing, and winning local political campaigns. Finding the right message and targeting the right voters are clearly explained through specific examples, anecdotes, and illustrations. Shaw also provides in-depth information on assembling campaign teams and volunteers, canvassing, how to conduct a precinct analysis, and how to campaign on a shoestring budget.
Cutting through the noise of the contemporary political climate, Shaw reveals how working to build community and connection remains key to winning local elections.
Reviews / Votes
Praise for The Campaign Manager"There's a remarkable amount of wisdom, common sense, and invaluable advice in this indispensable guide to running -- and winning -- campaigns. A must-read whether your goal is passing a local bond levy, getting elected to local office, or winning a seat in Congress."
Phil Keisling, former Oregon Secretary of State; founder and chair of National Vote at Home Institute
"Quite simply the best organizational tool for anyone seeking political office or working on an issue-based campaign."
Mara Liasson, NPR
"I can't imagine anyone heading into the campaign trenches without a copy of The Campaign Manager!"
Daniel M. Shea, Colby College
"A comprehensive guide to all aspects of modern campaigns, from strategy to understanding voter contact techniques, to fundraising, paid and earned media, to get-out-the-vote-drives."
James A. Thurber, American University
"Anyone running for a local elected office will find this title a valuable resource for organizing and running a campaign."
Library Journal
"Local office is where most candidates launch their careers, and The Campaign Manager is one of the books they should read before jumping in."
Campaigns and Elections, "Ten campaign books everyone should read"
"Practical, witty, and fact-packed. This is the bible of campaign management."
Les Aucoin, Former US Congressman from Oregon
"Thinking of running for local office? Stop, and buy this book. It will tell you how to win, or at least what you must do if you want to win. Just as important, it will tell you when you are wise not to run."
Mark Carl Rom, Georgetown University
"Shaw presents an excellent how-to guide for the prospective campaigner. From strategic orientation to voter targeting to media, Shaw provides a step-by-step process to getting a campaign off the ground."
Chapman Rackaway, University of West Georgia
"Shaw's book should be read by all persons interested in entering elective office at the local level. It is also an excellent supplementary text for a course on American political campaigns. One of its major strengths is the focus on local political campaigns, which are often overlooked when presidential and statewide elections are held. It is the definitive guide to campaigning at the local level."
Raymond Scheele, Ball State University Praise for The Campaign Manager
"There's a remarkable amount of wisdom, common sense, and invaluable advice in this indispensable guide to running - and winning - campaigns. A must-read whether your goal is passing a local bond levy, getting elected to local office, or winning a seat in Congress."
Phil Keisling, former Oregon Secretary of State; founder and chair of National Vote at Home Institute
"Quite simply the best organizational tool for anyone seeking political office or working on an issue-based campaign."
Mara Liasson, NPR
"I can't imagine anyone heading into the campaign trenches without a copy of The Campaign Manager!"
Daniel M. Shea, Colby College
"A comprehensive guide to all aspects of modern campaigns, from strategy to understanding voter contact techniques, to fundraising, paid and earned media, to get-out-the-vote-drives."
James A. Thurber, American University
"Anyone running for a local elected office will find this title a valuable resource for organizing and running a campaign."
Library Journal
"Local office is where most candidates launch their careers, and The Campaign Manager is one of the books they should read before jumping in."
Campaigns and Elections, "Ten campaign books everyone should read"
"Practical, witty, and fact-packed. This is the bible of campaign management."
Les Aucoin, Former US Congressman from Oregon
"Thinking of running for local office? Stop, and buy this book. It will tell you how to win, or at least what you must do if you want to win. Just as important, it will tell you when you are wise not to run."
Mark Carl Rom, Georgetown University
"Shaw presents an excellent how-to guide for the prospective campaigner. From strategic orientation to voter targeting to media, Shaw provides a step-by-step process to getting a campaign off the ground."
Chapman Rackaway, University of West Georgia
"Shaw's book should be read by all persons interested in entering elective office at the local level. It is also an excellent supplementary text for a course on American political campaigns. One of its major strengths is the focus on local political campaigns, which are often overlooked when presidential and statewide elections are held. It is the definitive guide to campaigning at the local level."
Raymond Scheele, Ball State University
More details
Edition
7th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate, Professional Practice & Development, and Undergraduate Advanced
Illustrations
43 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder, 17 s/w Zeichnungen, 6 s/w Tabellen, 60 s/w Abbildungen
6 Tables, black and white; 17 Line drawings, black and white; 43 Halftones, black and white; 60 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
491 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-65832-2 (9781032658322)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 02/2026
7th Edition
Routledge
€212.00
Not yet published

E-Book
02/2026
7th Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

E-Book
02/2026
7th Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
03/2018
6th Edition
Westview Press Inc
€73.20
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Catherine Shaw served three terms (twelve years) as mayor of Ashland, Oregon. First elected in 1988, she was the youngest person and the first woman elected to her city's highest post. She also served as a member chief of staff in the Oregon Legislature. For three decades, she has managed and consulted for scores of political campaigns, successfully passing innovative taxing measures for funding public education, recreation, parks, open-space programs, libraries, and civic buildings. Outspent in every election, sometimes as much as five to one, Shaw developed and perfected techniques to combat big money and to engineer seemingly impossible wins. She has been a frequent guest speaker and instructor for political science classes and campaign schools. Shaw currently works as a political consultant.
Content
Introduction 1.The Basics 2. Precinct Analysis: The Sinners, the Saints, and the Savables 3. Targeting Voters 4. Volunteer Organization 5. Fundraising 6.Digital and Social Media 7.Traditional Media: Print, Radio, and TV 8. Lawn Signs and Direct Mail 9.The Candidate Campaign 10. The Issue-Based Campaign 11. Getting Out the Vote (GOTV) 12. The Campaign Plan 13. After the Ball