How Much Does It Cost to Run for Office in 2026?

In the 2024 election cycle, total campaign spending across federal races climbed to an estimated $15.9 billion. That total makes it one of the costliest cycles on record and illustrates how deeply money now shapes American politics.

But those big numbers don’t tell the whole story, especially for local and state races, where most public servants begin their political journeys. The cost to run for office varies dramatically depending on what seat you’re seeking, where you live, and how you choose to campaign. 

With smart planning, a strong message, and tools that help you organize efficiently, running a competitive campaign is still within reach in 2026. Whether you’re considering a grassroots bid for city council or aiming higher, this guide breaks down what candidates actually spend at each level and how nonpartisan and Independent candidates can cut costs without sacrificing impact.

How Much Does It Cost to Run for Local Office?

We can divide political offices into three main categories: local, state, and federal offices. In general, campaign costs increase as you move up the ballot. That’s why local political offices are some of the best and most affordable places to start.

Running for a seat on your school board, city council, or county commission typically costs far less than state or federal races. Based on conversations with recently elected officials, many local campaigns can be competitive with anywhere from $300 to $30,000. The amount of money you need for your campaign ultimately depends on the size of your district, how many voters you need to reach, and whether or not the race is contested. 

At the local level, your biggest campaign costs are usually:

• Filing fees

• Yard signs 

• Campaign literature, like flyers, palm cards, and door hangers

• A campaign website and digital tools

• Event materials, like tables, booths, and handouts

You may have heard that the candidate who spends the most money typically wins. But while money can help, it isn’t the sole deciding factor. Take Steve Kronmiller, for example: he narrowly won his mayoral race in Scandia, Minnesota, after spending $675, while his opponent spent nearly $3,000. 

Recent campaign finance data from larger cities and competitive local races show wide variability in costs. For instance, in the 2025 Salt Lake City Council races, some candidates raised and spent more than $10,000, while others stayed in the low thousands. These differences reflect how district size and competitiveness affect what it really costs to run locally.

Local elections are frequently low-turnout and low-budget, so a strong grassroots strategy has the opportunity to outperform a big spend. In fact, many local races are decided by a small number of voters, so showing up consistently, talking to neighbors, and running an organized campaign can make all the difference.

And here’s another reason local races are so winnable: many of them still go uncontested. If you’re willing to run a real campaign with a clear message and a plan, you may be one of the only candidates giving voters a choice.

LEARN MORE: Find the right position for you with our guide to every office you can run for. 

How Much Does It Cost to Win at the State Level?

Moving up the ballot, campaign costs tend to increase, but that doesn’t mean state races are automatically out of reach. Most state legislative races cost anywhere from $80,000 to over $300,000, particularly in large or competitive districts. Races in bigger states or those that typically have higher costs across the board, like California or New York, are often the priciest for campaigning. 

Some factors that influence campaign costs at the state level include:

• District Size and Population Density: More voters typically means more doors to knock, more mail to send, and more outreach needed.

• Media and Advertising Costs: TV, radio, and even digital ads can get expensive in major media markets. 

• Incumbency Status: Challenging an established incumbent often requires extra spending to build your name recognition and credibility.​

• Election Timing: Special elections or off-cycle elections might have different cost structures due to varying voter turnout and attention.​

• Race Competitiveness: A close race can drive up costs quickly, especially if outside groups and Super PACs get involved.

Campaign finance reports from the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial race show candidate fundraising ranging from roughly $29,000 to over $700,000 before primary season spending has even peaked. Competitive state races are getting pricier, and those funds are needed way before election day. 

Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to run a strong state campaign without wasting money. 

Candidates can often lower costs by:

• Exploring public financing or matching funds programs

• Prioritizing direct voter contact through door-to-door canvassing and community events

• Building a volunteer team instead of relying entirely on paid staff

• Using digital tools to streamline outreach, fundraising, and organizing

Several states offer public financing programs to support candidates who meet specific criteria. For instance, some qualifying Minnesota legislative candidates got nearly $5,000 in public funds to boost their campaigns in 2022. Additionally, candidates in Hawaii who agree to expenditure limits can receive ​over $200,000 in public funds for their campaigns. 

LEARN MORE: Explore the pros and cons of publicly funded elections. 

How Much Do Federal Races Cost?

When it comes to the cost to run for office at the federal level, the numbers get big, fast. Federal campaigns require significantly more funding than local or state races, and the total cost depends on the office you’re running for, the size of your electorate, and how competitive the race is.

In the 2024 election cycle, total spending in federal races reached record highs, driven by expensive Senate matchups, rising digital ad costs, and major outside spending. The total amount of money spent on Congressional races in 2024 was $10.3 billion.

In general: 

• House races are a little cheaper than Senate races.

• Senate races can quickly reach tens or even hundreds of millions, like the astronomical $400 million spent on the Senate race in Ohio between Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno. 

• Presidential campaigns are the most expensive, by far. 

In the 2024 presidential campaigns, both campaigns spent approximately $1.9 billion combined, including funds from candidates, political parties, and independent interest groups. ​The escalating costs of federal campaigns underscore the importance of strategic planning and resource management. While substantial funding is often necessary, especially in high-profile races, innovative strategies and grassroots efforts can enable candidates to compete effectively, even in a landscape dominated by significant financial expenditures.​

Remember: You don’t need to match the biggest spenders. You just need a message that resonates and a plan to reach the voters who will decide your race’s outcome.

Campaign Costs vs. Super PACs

Your campaign budget matters, but it isn’t the only money that can shape your race. Thanks to Citizens United and other related court decisions, outside groups like Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts to influence elections, as long as they don’t coordinate directly with campaigns. 

That means even if your campaign runs a disciplined, grassroots operation, outside spending can still flood your district with ads, mailers, and digital messaging, sometimes from donors and interests that don’t live in your community.

Super PACs can’t donate directly to your campaign or your opponents’, but they can spend heavily to:

• Run ads supporting or attacking candidates

• Target voters with microtargeted digital messaging

• Fund large-scale outreach like mail, texting, and canvassing

• Shape the narrative around what issues matter most in a race

In recent years, outside spending has surged not just in federal elections, but in state and local races too, including judicial and municipal contests that used to fly under the radar. The 2025 Supreme Court race in Wisconsin became the most expensive judicial race in American history, with more than $100 million spent between the candidates’ campaigns and outside supporters, including over $55 million from PACs and Super PACs alone. 

We now have a political environment where voters may see millions of dollars of messaging around a candidate, even if that candidate’s actual campaign budget is far smaller.

But outside spending doesn’t guarantee a win. Voters can still reject big-money influence when candidates build trust, show up consistently, and run campaigns rooted in their communities.

LEARN MORE: Explore our breakdown of how Super PACs work and how they’re shaping elections.

How Local and Independent Candidates Can Fund Their Campaigns

Without a major party behind your campaign, every dollar matters. The good news is that local nonpartisan and Independent candidates have more options than most people realize, especially when they build a campaign around real community support.

Here are some of the most common ways Independent candidates fund strong campaigns:

• Small Donors: Your biggest supporters might only give $10, but when you have hundreds of them, it adds up fast. Focus on consistent asks, clear goals, and simple donation links that make giving easy.

• Public Financing: Some states and cities, like Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, and New York City, offer public financing programs that match small donations or provide grants to candidates who demonstrate grassroots support. These programs can help level the playing field, especially in races where outside spending is high.

• Volunteer Support: Volunteers are the secret weapon of people-powered campaigns. They can knock doors, send texts, host meet-and-greets, help with social media, and keep your outreach moving while keeping your campaign team lean.

• In-Kind Donations: Donated office space, free event hosting, printing discounts, food for volunteers, and childcare during canvassing are all types of in-kind donations. These contributions lower costs while strengthening community buy-in.

No matter where your support comes from, it’s how you use it that counts. When you focus on high-impact voter contact and efficient organizing, you can stretch a modest budget into a competitive campaign.

LEARN MORE: Learn how to crowdfund your campaign effectively. 

5 Ways to Lower the Cost to Run for Office

Running on a budget doesn’t mean running a weak campaign. In fact, some of the most effective Independent campaigns win by staying focused, using their resources wisely, and putting energy where it matters most: real voter contact.

Here are five proven ways to lower your campaign costs in 2026 without sacrificing impact:

#1: Go Digital Strategically

Social media is free, and digital marketing and outreach tools, like campaign software and texting tools, are often far cheaper than traditional political advertising routes. Focus on consistent content, clear calls to action, and simple ways for supporters to donate, volunteer, or share your message.

#2: Host Community Events

From coffee chats to meet-and-greets, local events help you earn trust face-to-face, often for little to no cost. Bonus: they generate photos, testimonials, and momentum you can reuse online across your social media platforms and campaign website.

#3: Earn Media Coverage

Local news, podcasts, and community newsletters can extend your reach without a paid ad budget. Get local media coverage by pitching your story, submitting op-eds, and showing up as a credible voice on issues that matter to your community.

#4: Build a Volunteer Team

A strong volunteer operation can replace a surprising amount of paid labor. Volunteers can knock doors, send texts, phone bank, staff events, and help you stay visible in the community.

#5: Use Tools That Replace Overhead

A lot of campaign budgets go toward management costs for multiple digital tools, consultants, and staff time spent tracking outreach. Using an all-in-one system can help you stay organized and run a more efficient campaign from day one.

GoodParty.org helps candidates manage outreach, volunteers, and messaging all in one place, so you can spend less time juggling tools and more time winning votes.

The cost to run for office might be going up, but that doesn’t mean your shot at public service is out of reach. While headlines focus on billion-dollar presidential bids and multi-million-dollar Senate races, the truth is that real change still starts at the local level. In local elections, committed, community-minded candidates can win without massive budgets. From school board to state house, there’s room for nonpartisan and Independent voices. 

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash