More than 200 prospective Democratic candidates from across Indiana packed two conference rooms in Indianapolis 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 the 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.