State-Level Power
State-level offices are the stepping stones of political careers and the foundation of party strength. This guide covers how to leverage governors, state senate seats, and state party positions.
State Offices#
Governor#
- Election - Statewide single-winner race
- Benefits - +2 bonus actions/turn, +$15k/hr fund bonus (matching Senate)
- Power - Highest state-level office; strong influence on state politics
- Government approval - Governor's party benefits from state approval ratings in elections
State Senate#
- Election - Percentage-based seat allocation across the state
- Benefits - Lower than federal offices but provide a base for growth
- Power - State-level legislative influence
House of Representatives#
- Election - District-based races
- Benefits - +$5k/hr fund bonus, base office actions
- Value - Easiest federal office to win; stepping stone to Senate or Governor
State Party Organization#
State party organization (0-100) is crucial for election success:
- Org strength - Higher org = more votes per turn for your party's candidates
- Org cap - Starts from a base of 15 and gains office-specific contributions from the party's Governor, Senate, House, and State Senate performance
- Momentum (-10 to +10) - Positive momentum grows org; negative shrinks it
Building Party Org#
- Party leadership elections affect org momentum
- Winning elections in the state boosts momentum
- Active party members contribute to org strength
State Party Leadership#
Each state party has three elected positions:
| Position | Role |
|---|---|
| Chair | Primary party leader in the state; can influence NPPs using party resources |
| Vice Chair | Assists Chair; can also influence same-party NPPs |
| Treasurer | Manages state party treasury |
Why It Matters#
- NPP influence - Chairs/VCs can direct NPP endorsements and withdrawals
- Tax rates - Leadership sets party tax rates (0-33%)
- Treasury - Controls state party funds for transfers and operations
- Party GOTV - Party resources passively boost turnout in aligned demographics
State Demographics#
Each state has a granular electorate assembled from census-backed dimensions such as age, education, income, geography, race and ethnicity, religion, and occupation. Country-specific seeds adapt the dimensions and weights to each country rather than reusing a fixed set of 12 US archetypes. See Demographics and Targeting and Granular Electorate as Shipped.
Equivalent Regional Offices#
The regional executive pattern is country-aware. It appears as a US Governor, German Minister-President, Japanese regional Governor, Chinese Governor, and as a UK First Minister in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. London uses a Mayor. English UK regions outside London have no devolved executive office.
Geographic Strategy#
- Home state advantage - You can only enter elections in your home state
- State adjacency - Actions cost more in non-neighboring states (1.25x) and distant states (1.5x)
- Pick your state wisely - Some states are more competitive; swing states offer the most opportunity
Path to Power#
- Win state party chair - Gives you NPP influence and party resource access
- Win a House seat - Easiest federal office; builds your fund income
- Build org strength - Your party's org directly helps all your party's candidates
- Run for Governor or Senate - Leverage your established base
Related Pages#
- Government Approval - How approval affects elections
- Demographics & Targeting - State demographic profiles
- Political Parties - Party system mechanics
- Election Mechanics - How state elections work