The Campaign (2016)

Will Connal, state prosecutor with his sites set on a political career, and Joanna Charis, the First Lady of the State who gave up her political aspirations for her husband, meet at a party convention. There is an instant attraction and like-minded connection. Over the next several months Joanna seeks Will's advice on particular issues pertaining to the state's judicial reform programs. During that time the attraction between them grows and a bond forms. Joanna asks Will to be campaign manager for her husband's bid for re-election in the hopes that it would give her an opportunity to work alongside him and see him regularly. He refuses on the basis of the integrity of his own views, despite being a member of the same party. When the current Governor Doug Quade's most formidable party contender removes himself from the ticket Will sees his opportunity and decides to run. At the evening of a fund-raiser for Doug's re-election campaign Will sets out to convince Joanna to secretly shift her loyalties and help him run against her husband. An affair begins, and a powerful alliance between them is formed. Soon with Joanna's help, Will gains ground as the front runner. Will and Joanna's affair, though risky, is irresistible. Attachments have formed for both, though they are still wary that their mutual ambition is what's driving their allegiance to one another and overshadowing their true feelings. Neither is willing to admit their love. Joanna has been feeding Will information on her husband's campaign strategy in exchange for the promise of advancing her own political career. Joanna knows her husband would never want her to supersede him. Where her husband keeps her down Will lifts her up, and seems to genuinely champion and support her. For Will, not only is Joanna's help crucial for infiltrating the opponent, she is also a savvy and invaluable strategist with years of experience standing on the sidelines. What is complicated is envisioning a future together. What would it look like? If Will wins, how long after, and exactly when would it be appropriate for them to admit to their relationship publicly? Would there be suspicions, consequences? If Will doesn't win, what happens then? Does Joanna divorce Doug, or stay in the marriage in name only to keep the status of First Lady Of The State and continue to pull strings for Will behind the scenes? Wouldn't it be easier to get rid of Doug altogether, before the election?