How Much Does It Cost to Run for Office in 2025?

The cost to run for office in the United States can range from just a few hundred dollars to tens of millions, and in 2024, it reached record-breaking heights.

Federal campaign spending soared to $15.9 billion, making the 2024 election cycle the most expensive in U.S. history. But don’t let the headlines dissuade you. The cost to run for office varies widely depending on what you’re running for, where you live, and how you campaign.

Whether you’re considering a grassroots run for city council or dreaming of Congress, understanding campaign costs is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down the average expenses at every level and share real strategies that Independent candidates can use to run strong campaigns without breaking the bank.

How Much Does It Cost to Run for Local Office?

We can divide political offices into three main categories: local, state, and federal offices. As you move up this ladder, the costs of running for office will typically increase. So, if you’re just getting started in politics, local political offices are some of the best and most affordable places to begin.

Running for a seat on your school board, city council, or county commission typically costs far less than state or federal races. Most local races can be won with anywhere from $500 to $50,000 depending on the size of your district and your individual campaign needs. 

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

• Yard signs 

• Campaign literature and flyers

• Filing fees

• Website and digital tools

• Event materials (tables, booths, handouts)

We often hear that the candidate who spends the most money wins. And while that may be true for some races, it isn’t necessarily always the case. Take Steve Kronmiller: he narrowly won his mayoral race in Scandia, Minnesota. By spending money strategically, he managed to win that seat after only spending $675, while his opponent spent nearly $3,000. 

You don’t need big money to make a big difference in your community. Local elections are often low-turnout and low-budget. So, a strong grassroots campaign can win over voters with strategy, not spending. 

Additionally, in 2024, 74% of local elections went uncontested. That means showing up with a plan and a compelling message could be all it takes to win.

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

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

As you move up the political ladder, costs increase. However, not every state race is out of reach. State legislative races can cost anywhere from $80,000 to over $300,000, or more, if you live in a particularly large or competitive district. Races in large states like California or New York are often the priciest. 

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

• District Demographics: Urban districts with higher population densities often require more extensive outreach efforts, which increases costs.​

• Media Market Expenses: Advertising in regions with expensive media markets can substantially raise campaign expenditures.​

• Incumbency Status: Challenging an incumbent may necessitate higher spending to increase name recognition and counter the incumbent’s established support.​

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

Luckily, there are still ways to run an efficient and winning campaign at the state level:

• Look into public financing or matching funds

• Focus on door-to-door canvassing and community events

• Build a volunteer team instead of (or in addition to) hiring staff

• Use digital tools to lower outreach and fundraising costs

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. Running for federal office in the United States demands substantial financial resources, with costs varying significantly based on the position sought and the competitiveness of the race.​

The total amount of money spent on the 2024 congressional races was $10.3 billion. Typically, House races are a little cheaper than Senate races, and presidential campaigns are the most expensive. 

Senate races broke records in 2024. Over $400 million was spent on the Ohio election between Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno. Close behind was the Pennsylvania Senate race between Bob Casey and Dave McCormick, where candidates and outside groups combined spent almost $290 million. 

The presidential race is where things got really pricey, though: 

• Total Spending: Both campaigns spent approximately $1.9 billion combined, including funds from candidates, political parties, and independent interest groups. ​

• Kamala Harris: Spending exceeded $1 billion from her campaign alone, reflecting a robust fundraising and spending strategy. ​Another $843 million came from outside groups.

• Donald Trump: His campaign spent around $464 million, and outside groups spent another $989 million. ​

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 these numbers. You just need a message that resonates.

Campaign Costs vs. Super PACs

How much you spend on your campaign is important, but outside groups can also spend money to influence the outcomes of your race. Due to Citizens United and other court decisions, most elections don’t have any cap on spending, so Super PACs can pour millions of dollars from around the country into any race they want. 

Most recently, a Supreme Court race in Wisconsin became the most expensive judicial race in American history, with more than $73 million spent between the candidates’ campaigns and outside supporter efforts. 

Let’s break down the numbers to see where this money came from: 

• Judge Susan Crawford, favored by Democrats, spent $19.4 million on her campaign.

• Attorney General Brad Schimel, favored by Republicans, spent $8.9 million on his campaign.

• Pro-Crawford Super PACs spent $12.9 million. 

• Pro-Schimel Super PACs spent $32.1 million.

Funds supporting Crawford total around $32.3 million, while $41 million went toward supporting Schimel. In most high-profile elections, we assume the person who spends the most money wins. After all, that’s how it usually goes. But in this case, Crawford had beaten Schimel by more than 8 points when he conceded. 

This race is an important reminder to all candidates: your campaign, your message, and your beliefs matter more than money. People can and do trump money. 

How Independent Candidates Can Fund Their Campaigns

Without a major party behind your campaign, every dollar matters. But there are more resources available than you might think:

• Small Donors: Your biggest supporters might only give $10, but when you have hundreds of them, it adds up fast. Use crowdfunding tools to collect and track contributions.

• Public Financing: States like Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, and New York offer public financing to candidates who show grassroots support. These programs match small donations and reward people-powered campaigns.

• Volunteer Support: Volunteers are the secret weapon of every Independent campaign. They can canvass, text voters, manage social media, and help spread your message.

• In-Kind Donations: Think donated office space, free event hosting, or a neighbor who wants to print your flyers at cost. These contributions help you cut expenses while building community buy-in.

No matter where the money comes from, it’s how you use it that counts. With a smart, scrappy strategy, you can stretch every dollar and run a winning campaign.

LEARN MORE: Learn how to crowdfund your campaign effectively. 

5 Ways to Lower the Cost to Run for Office

If you're running on a budget or just trying to find ways to keep your costs down, here are five proven tactics that helped Independent candidates win in 2024:

• Go Digital: Social media is free. Campaign software and texting tools are often affordable. A good digital strategy can take you far (learn how to use digital marketing in your campaign).

• Host Community Events: From potlucks to coffee chats, local events help you connect with voters in real life. Plus, they’re usually cheap or free to host.

• Earn Media Coverage: Submit op-eds, hold press conferences, and pitch your unique story to local reporters. Earned media builds trust and reach.

• Build a Volunteer Team: From canvassing to texting to phone banking, every task you don’t pay for saves money and builds campaign energy.

• Use GoodParty.org’s Tools: GoodParty.org was made for Independent candidates. From low-cost texting to campaign management, we help you do more with less.

Lowering your campaign costs doesn’t mean lowering your standards. Rather, it means focusing your energy where it matters most. When your message is clear and your strategy is strong, you don’t need millions to make an impact.

Real Change Doesn’t Require a Fortune

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 Independent voices. Voters are hungry for leaders who care more about solutions than party lines.

Campaigning as an Independent isn’t always easy, especially when you’re up against big money and big party machines. But it’s possible when you combine grassroots energy, smart strategy, and a little help from people who’ve done it before.

At GoodParty.org, we’re here to support people-powered candidates with the tools, technology, and encouragement they need to run and win. Whether you’re just starting to explore a run for office or you’re already planning your campaign, you don’t have to do it alone, and you don’t have to go broke in the process.

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash