(3.5 ✶) Down Ballot is an engaging, quick read that focuses on the battle for a single Illinois State Representative seat, featuring Abortion access as the central issue. Despite what one might think initially, this contest was during the Republican primary, rather than the general election.
I found the book to provide a welcome introduction to how a campaign is run at the local level, as well as some relevant character background for the two candidates involved.

Coincidentally, after finishing this book, I found out that my parents were friends with Rosemary Mulligan while working in Springfield.

This book is fantastic and one I know I am going to revisit and recommend to fellow campaign staffers and consultants and those who have no experience with campaigns. Wohl balances the context of the race, the overall political climate, and personal histories quite well, while also making this an engaging and compelling read. The breakdown of the technical aspects of campaigning and overall strategy, specifically in down ballot races, is well explained and would make this an enjoyable read for those who do not have firsthand experience. This book really highlights why down ballot races are so crucial and tells a fascinating story while doing so.

Thank you NetGalley and 3 Fields Books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing!!! Easily the best nonfiction book I've read all year! Focusing in on one race instead of having a more generalized stats based book worked really well. I was really invested in all the people talked about. Also, covering a state representative race meant that I didn't know what was going to happen or who was going to win which made it even more compelling. I like how it covered both candidates in depth while also giving a background to the area and the anti-abortion movement at the time. I currently live in Springfield, IL and I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, so personally it was fun to recognize the places being talked about (shout out to Walker Bros. Pancake House, where Rosemary Mulligan went to meet a future campaign worker and where my friends and I went the morning after prom). I devoured this book. I absolutely did not want to put this book down. So great!!!