More than 200 prospective Democratic candidates from across Indiana packed two conference rooms in Indianapolis Saturday to learn how to run a political campaign. The "boot camp" taught campaign finance, communications and canvassing.
The Indiana Democrats and the National Democratic Training Committee provided training to help first-time candidates get their campaigns off the ground.
Poonam Gill is running for Indiana's 88th House district and says it's hard to launch a campaign.
"A lot of people have the motivation and vision to run, but to have a competitive campaign, you really have to understand the other nuts and bolts of it," she says.
The Indiana Democrats and t he National Democratic Training Committee provided the training. Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody says gathering like-minded candidates helps share ideas statewide.
"This is the future of the party, right here today," Zody says. "We've got a lot of new faces, a diverse group of people, and that's exactly what we need."
Indiana is the first state the National Democratic Training Committee provided in-person training.