Abstract:
Candidates accept a major undertaking when they sign up to run for elected office. Not only should they understand the job they are asking people to give them, they also need to know the people they are hoping to represent. This is more than just a courtesy; it is necessary to win. People do not vote for candidates who fail to connect with them. Candidates must organize campaigns that take time to understand their voters and develop messages that resonate with their lives, which brings in votes and makes candidates better public servants.
This paper analyzes three 2012 political campaigns across Indiana. By delving into the demographic, psychographic, and political makeup of each district, we can better understand voters, and thereby how candidates must con1municate in order to win. As demonstrated in this research and analysis, not all public relations plans are created equal. Even though all of the races were for seats in the Indiana General Assembly, each one utilized significantly different public relations strategies and tactics. This is due in large part to the diverse voters who call these districts home.
