Who’s in your kitchen cabinet?
Advisors who tell you the truth are priceless.
Campaigns are often train wrecks and you're going to need help steering. So if you’re running for office, one of the things we highly recommend is a kitchen cabinet.
If you’re new to the term or to politics — welcome! — we’re not talking about the pantry shelves where you store groceries. Rather, a kitchen cabinet is an (often unofficial) advisory board for your political campaign. These are your inner circle, folks who will tell you the truth. As we can see right now, our country and our communities are definitely not served well by yes men and yes women. That starts from the ground up as much as it does at the top. Whether you’re running for Congress or your local school board, trusted confidants with different points of view, people with the ability to tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear, are invaluable.
Wherever you are in the process of running, it’s never too late to assemble your kitchen cabinet. And here’s a list of who should — and should not — be in your cabinet.
Who should be in your kitchen cabinet:
The Realist: Just as a campaign needs positivity, it needs a dose of reality. You need someone who will provide the most objective outlook on the state of your campaign and give you a realistic sense of the obstacles your campaign might be facing. They’ll help you set realistic, achievable goals and bolster your campaign’s success.
The Seasoned Campaigner: Someone with experience in political campaigns can bring a lot to the table. This person will likely have insights that many others will not and may have valuable connections to other political operatives. Just be sure they’ve adapted with evolving tech and aren’t wed to outdated methods.
The Devil’s Advocate: You want someone who’s not afraid to argue against you and challenge your point of view. Groupthink, the common frame of mind a group of individuals who work together can fall into, can be deadly to campaigns. If you get stuck in the same mindset that goes unchecked by differing opinions, your campaign can and will suffer.
The Moral Supporter: Campaigning can be brutal. As the candidate, it’s easy to start feeling defeated when the going gets tough. It’s crucial for you to have someone you can lean on and provide a positive outlook.
The One With No Campaign Experience: People with absolutely no experience in politics can provide surprising input. They will think outside of the box because they have no past experience to draw upon. New, fresh ways of thinking should always be welcome, and you can easily find this quality in someone who has not worked on a campaign before.
To Avoid:
The Monopolizer: Some people believe they are always right and you definitely don’t want them in your inner circle. They’ll monopolize any conversation and refuse to debate suggestions they don’t agree with. They may also take over your cabinet and influence other members to not share ideas.
The Collector: They’re on board just for the story. They joined your team so they can collect the stories and dine out on them when you win. While they might have some decent input, their ultimate goal is self-serving and not in your campaign’s best interest.
The Backdoor Politician: Political operatives may try to sabotage your campaign from the inside. This isn’t always the case, but it’s important to be careful of politicians that approach you, especially if you two have no history. A political operative can be a helpful addition, but pick them with care.
The Dreamer: People who always aim too high, or the purist will let the perfect be the enemy of the good, will set you up for failure. While they can be helpful during an initial brainstorming session, you need people who can help you set attainable and realistic goals.
That One Friend or Family Member: This applies to a lot of different people, including the one(s) that just popped in your head. Any family or friends you recruit should have your best interests in mind and be able to give clear and honest feedback. Don’t ask loved ones who you don’t work well with or you know won’t share their true opinion. You need advisors you trust to guide your campaign to victory.
If you take away anything from this list it should be that your kitchen cabinet should not be motivated by access to power, money, or influence. Your inner circle should be eager to help you succeed and enact the changes you’re fighting for.
With contribution from Lily Haffner, 2025 Internship Program
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