Deciding whether to become a candidate?

Before deciding to campaign for federal office, potential candidates may wish to “test the waters” to explore the feasibility of a campaign. Testing the waters activities may include fundraising, conducting polls and traveling around the state or district to gauge public support for a possible candidacy. An individual who spends money merely to test the waters (but not to campaign for office) does not have to register as a candidate. For more information, please review our recent "Testing the Waters” Record article and YouTube video.