Candidate Recruitment & Support Committee
What does the Candidate Recruitment & Support Committee do?
We identify and recruit Democratic candidates for public office.
We provide support and training for our candidates so they can run successful campaigns.
Check out our Run for Office page to learn more about becoming a candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m a Democrat and thinking of running for public office in Loudoun County (County Board of Supervisors, School Board, Constitutional Office (Clerk of the Circuit Court, Commissioner of the Revenue, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, or Treasurer), Soil & Water Conservation District Director, or a Town Council). Where do I start?
Contact the Candidate Recruitment & Support Committee at candidatesearch@loudoundemocrats.org.
I’m a Democrat and thinking of running for public office for a state level position (statewide office or Virginia General Assembly).
Contact the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) at political@vademocrats.org.
School Board and Soil & Water Conservation District Director positions are nonpartisan. Can I run for one of them and still get support from the Democratic Party?
Yes. You can apply for the endorsement of LCDC. If you are approved for our endorsement, we will support your campaign and list you as a Democrat on our sample ballots that we hand out to voters at the polls.
How do I get on the ballot as a Democrat for a Loudoun County public office?
You have to file paperwork with Loudoun County plus possibly with LCDC in some circumstances. LCDC determines the nominating method for partisan offices. This can be a state-run primary, a convention, or a caucus (assembled or unassembled). If we choose a state-run primary, you just have paperwork to file with the state or local Office of Elections. However, you should still reach out to LCDC to inform us you are running; we can then include you in any notifications we send to candidates as well as list you on our candidate webpage, notify our members of your campaign events, and invite you to speak at our membership meetings. State-run primaries are not conducted for Special Elections, so for these you must file paperwork with LCDC to run in a convention or caucus to win our nomination.
If I win the Democratic nomination or endorsement, will I be identified as a Democrat on the ballot?
According to current Virginia code, only state level candidates are identified with a party label. Local candidates are not identified, even if they are running for partisan offices. However, our sample ballots will identify you with our party label.
Do you provide candidate training?
Yes. The Democratic Party of Virginia and/or the State Legislative Caucuses organize training events from time to time. LCDC can also organize a formal training event as needed, especially during the year prior to the presidential election when nearly all local and state assembly offices are up for election. Once you are an official Democratic nominee or endorsee, mentorship will be provided by either knowledgeable LCDC officers/members or by our Loudoun electeds already in office.