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JOB TITLE: Opposition Researcher

WHAT IS AN OPPOSITION RESEARCHER?

In broad terms, an Opposition Researcher is someone who researches information on political candidates outside of their political party (hence the word “Opposition” in the job title).

WHAT DOES AN OPPOSITION RESEARCHER DO?

Opposition Researchers dig into political candidates’ backgrounds–their voting records, speeches they’ve given at past events, papers they wrote in college, tax records and other public records, you name it. Not much is off limits to Opposition Researchers. The purpose of Opposition Researchers’ work is to learn as much as they can about the competition, and then use the information on behalf of their own candidates to destroy the opposition’s credibility or to raise questions about his/her personal or professional life.

Opposition Researchers also use their information to help their own candidates navigate around spiny issues in their pasts, and to craft campaign strategies that include negative advertisements, direct mail and “planted” press stories.
Clearly, Opposition Researchers are far from being simple librarians. They dig up dirt and get their hands dirty. Opposition Researchers “package” facts in favor of their candidates. And, many are not above shading truths based on skeletal facts. For this reason, most candidates don’t list opposition research firms as vendors, don’t openly associate themselves with opposition researchers and even deny that they had anything to do with negative information spread by opposition research firms they’ve hired (they do, however, accept the benefits of that negative information).

FOR WHOM DO OPPOSITION RESEARCHERS WORK?

Opposition Researchers are essentially consultants; most work for private opposition research firms or as independent contractors. Political candidates (or more specifically, their campaign managers) and lobbying and activist groups hire opposition research firms on behalf of their candidates.

Opposition Researchers also work for the political party itself, for either the Democratic National Committee or the Republican National Committee.

As you might imagine, most opposition researchers work in or around Washington, D.C., but candidates vying for city, state and local elected positions also provide job opportunities.
HOW MUCH DO OPPOSITION RESEARCHERS EARN?

Initially, Opposition Researchers earn fairly low salaries, around $30,000, regardless of employer. But, more experienced Opposition Researchers working for private opposition research firms, especially those who work on national campaigns, earn upwards of $100,000 per year. Independent opposition research consultants whose clients are lobbying and interest groups can earn at least double this amount, especially when there is a hot issue or important election.

Not surprisingly, Opposition Researchers have more work during presidential elections, but smaller races keep them fed year-round.

WHAT ABOUT THIS CAREER DO(ES)N’T SUCK?

Being an Opposition Researcher rated 52% on our WorkYourWay Index. It scored highly for interesting, high-impact work, relatively low barriers to entry, opportunity to rub elbows with movers and shakers and a good compensation package. The Opposition Researcher career lost points for high-pressure conditions during elections (lots of travel, countless hours spent alone doing research and tight deadlines), income fluctuations (especially for independent contractors), the relatively low number and restrictive geography of many opposition researcher jobs, and for the unclean hands of certain opposition researchers.

HOW DO I BREAK IN?

Opposition Researchers must have a college degree, preferably a bachelors in political science or communications, though any liberal arts degree that equips you with good research and communication skills will do. Mid-level and management level roles require a combination of work experience and a degree.

To break into the field of opposition research, volunteer to work on local political campaigns or take on leadership roles (paid or unpaid) in political organizations, i.e. NOW, the League of Women Voters or other interest groups. Interning with an opposition research firm is also a pretty reliable way to get started.

For those interested in carving their own path, consider creating and contributing to blogs for/against political campaigns during local and national elections. Use public records to research candidates and issues, then share the information via your blogs. You can also approach campaign managers, interest groups, the press and the Democratic or Republican Committees with freshly unearthed information that you might be willing to part with for a fee or a job.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Check these resources for job openings.

• Communications & Campaign Jobs - Great opportunity to take on a leadership role in the presidential election. These are opportunities with local and regional organizations in need of local campaign and communications organizers and managers.
• Political Jobs - Jobs in all aspects of politics
• Democratic National Committee - Jobs with the official party
• Republican National Committee - Jobs with the official party
• Labor Unions
• Opposition Research Firms

MORE INFORMATION

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