For courses in State Government, Legislative Politics, Elections, and Campaigns.

This is the first comprehensive book on state legislative candidates in almost 30 years. Based on extensive surveys with over 600 candidates "traditional" and "non-traditional" in 8 states, it is exciting and easy to read and not only reveals the inner-workings of the campaign process, but also provides an in-depth look at what motivates "ordinary" people to seek office.