What to Do After Losing a General Election: The First Week
The week after losing a general election is when most of the cleanup happens. It’s also when the decisions that shape your next run get made, often without anyone noticing.
This guide is written for Democrats who lost a general election to a Republican in 2026, but most of it applies to any race. Work through it in roughly this order.
Concede on Your Own Terms
Call your opponent before you make a public statement. Keep it short and gracious. You’ll likely deal with this person again, as an officeholder or as an opponent.
Your public statement is for your supporters. Thank them, name what you built together and tell them what comes next. Save the analysis of what went wrong for later.
If the race is very close, wait for the official canvass. In Arizona, a margin of 0.5% or less triggers an automatic recount for most races, and candidates can’t request one, according to Ballotpedia. If a recount is coming, read our guide to recount funds.
Thank Your Volunteers, Donors and Staff
Do it within days, not weeks. Call your top volunteers and donors yourself. Send everyone else a personal email or text that sounds like you.
Pay your staff what you promised and offer to be a reference. Good staff are your first call if you run again, and they talk to other campaigns.
Pay Your Bills and Retire Campaign Debt
List every unpaid invoice and loan. Vendors who get paid on time will work with you again, and Democratic vendors talk to each other.
Federal campaigns can keep raising money after the election to pay off debt. Under FEC rules, those contributions must be designated to the 2026 election and stay within each donor’s limit for it. The committee can keep them only while it still has net debts.
State and local campaigns follow their own state’s rules, so check with your filing officer before you send a debt-retirement ask.
File Your Final Reports
Losing doesn’t end your reporting. Every 2026 congressional candidate who ran in the general election must file a post-general report with the FEC by December 3, 2026, win or lose.
State and local candidates have post-election reports too. Look them up with the office you registered with, such as the Arizona Secretary of State or your county elections office.
Keep the committee open if you have debt or might run again. If you’re done, our guides to closing a campaign committee and what to do with leftover campaign funds cover the steps.
Save Your Data Before the Campaign Goes Dark
Export your donor list, volunteer list, call notes and field results now, while your staff still knows where everything lives. Email, texting and fundraising tools bill monthly, and accounts get shut off.
Know what you keep. Voter file access through your state Democratic Party’s VAN is licensed, not yours to take. The contacts your campaign collected generally are, but check your agreement with the party.
Run an Honest Post-Mortem
Pull precinct results and compare them with your targets. Where did you beat the top of the ticket, and where did turnout fall short?
If you lost in a year when Democrats gained seats nationally, look hard at whether the district or the race was the problem. That answer decides whether you should run again for the same seat.
Talk to your team, your consultants and a few voters who didn’t pick you. Write it all down while it’s fresh. That document is the start of your next campaign, or your best advice to the next Democrat who runs.
Decide About Running Again, but Not This Week
Give it a few weeks. The days right after losing a general election are the worst time to make that call. A close loss can be a strong base for a second run, and a lopsided one may point you toward a different office.
If you might run again, keep your committee open, stay in touch with donors and stay visible in your community through boards, commissions and local causes. When you’re ready, start with our step-by-step guide to running for office.
Sutton & Smart works with Democratic candidates on strategy, mail and field. If you’re weighing another run, talk to us about what happened and what a second run would take.
Need Help Running Your Campaign?
Sutton & Smart helps Democratic candidates run and win — from first-time school board hopefuls to congressional campaigns. We handle the strategy, direct mail, fundraising, and field work so you can focus on the voters. Tell us about your race and we’ll show you exactly what it takes to win it. Start here.
Join Our Free Community Built for Democrats Running for Office
Running for the first time is a lot less daunting with people who’ve done it beside you. Our free community for Democrats running for office gives you expert insights, practical courses, and a network of candidates going through exactly what you are — no cost to join.
Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
Author | Partner
