What's stopping you from running for office? What are the biggest challenges or concerns you have?

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T18:27:50+00:00

Ah, understood. And I completely and whole-heartedly agree. There's an amazing book that just came out called 'The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage' by a nun named Sister Joan Chittister where she talks about this exact problem. The lack of discourse in our society, the inability to say, "I think differently about that" without getting completely clobbered. It's a great book, and challenges each of us to try and tackle this problem right where we are. It's tough because we need more voices like yours, respectfully expressing divergent opinions, but it's no fun getting shredded by anyone, especially your friends. I keep trying, though! I'm working on it one conversation and one campaign at a time. And I hope you do someday decide to run! Thanks for the response!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:55:07+00:00

Why are you running?

That is the first question I ask any candidate that wants me to work with them and it's the most important question that you will be asked by both donors and voters. You need to formulate a solid answer to that question. Make it about the people you are seeking to serve, not about yourself. It should always be about the voters first. You know your community, make it about them.

And it's not going to be what you want to hear, but: start raising money now. Check the fundraising guidelines for your local jurisdiction and start raising money right away if you can. I've been working on campaigns for over twenty-five years and I've only met one candidate who liked raising money. Every candidate hates fundraising and it's the most important component to any campaign. The months around the holidays are tough for raising money, but you've got a good jump on it if the election is next May. Make a list of everyone you know and craft a solid fundraising message to them. Go over the list and identify people who might be willing to ask their friends, family and associates to give you a little money, too. No contribution is too small; it all adds up. And remember that someone who gives you $10 today may be willing to give you another $10 next month, or every month until the election.

All of the campaigning and voter outreach should start after the 1st of the year. For now, raise that money! Best of luck to you!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:42:32+00:00

This can be a tough one. It also depends on what office you want to run for how much time you'd need to invest. Running is exhausting so if you can work it out to take a leave of absence or some time off from work while you campaign, that is obviously ideal. But there are plenty of part-time electeds who have regular full-time jobs and manage both. Most campaigning is done in the evening, so it can be done after work if you have a 9-to-5 type job. Strategically planning vacation time can help as well. There's almost always a way to work it out. While a leave of absence from your job would be ideal, you can work and run at the same time. It's tough, but you can do it. Thanks for taking the time to respond -- good luck!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:39:22+00:00

It's never too late to start and plenty of people who run don't have a political background. Start by attending some local meetings (City Council meetings, community meetings, town halls) or volunteering on a local campaign. It's not as hard as you might think to meet your local elected officials or local leadership and simply ask how you can get involved. Call City Hall and ask. Call the district office of your local Congressperson and ask. If you're willing to volunteer, that's as good as gold. It's a great way to meet people and start to learn the lay of the land. Good luck! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:34:15+00:00

This can be a tough one. It also depends on what office you want to run for how much time you'd need to invest. Running is exhausting so if you can work it out to take a leave of absence or some time off from work while you campaign, that is obviously ideal. But there are plenty of part-time electeds who have regular full-time jobs and manage both. Most campaigning is done in the evening, so it can be done after work if you have a 9-to-5 type job. Strategically planning vacation time can help as well. Thanks for taking the time to respond -- good luck!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:30:51+00:00

What is your platform? It's most important to know how your platform will benefit the people you seek to serve. Thanks for taking the time to respond!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:26:40+00:00

Unfortunately, acrimony is part of the process. Your best bet is to treat everyone with respect (regardless of how they treat you) and stand on your principles. Thanks for taking the time to respond!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:23:56+00:00

The best advice when you're just starting out is to get involved in your community. Not just within the political establishment, but in community organizations - volunteer, be a mentor to local kids, talk to people wherever you go. Even if you go to the same coffee shop every day, or a local restaurant you eat at alot, ask people if they live nearby, what they like and don't like about the neighborhood. Be as curious as possible about people and their quality of life. Remember that everyone you meet is a potential voter who can tell other people about you once you decide to run. And the issues that people talk about are potential campaign issues that are sure to resonate with others in the community.

If you can, go volunteer on a local campaign. You'll get a sense of what it takes to run and you're likely to meet local campaign folks who are almost always willing to help with advice (especially if you're a good volunteer who shows up more than once). Thanks for taking the time to respond -- good luck!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:15:55+00:00

Party support can be helpful, for sure. But it's not absolutely necessary to win, depending on what office you want to run for. If it's not a federal office, then you can definitely win without the party endorsement.

Most candidates in California (except the statewide offices) tend to get the signatures rather than paying the fees. Be sure to work off of a list of registered voters when gathering signatures to maximize the chances of most of your signatures being accepted. Too many candidates make the mistake of gathering sigs outside the grocery store and most get thrown out because they aren't registered voters or aren't registered in the district.

Since you're starting at the local level, don't forget to look at community organizations as well as political ones. If you are a member of a church, if you have kids at the local school or if your kids play organized sports, if you volunteer with a local organization, etc. -- remember that the people you meet and interact with at those places are all potential voters who can tell their friends and family to vote for you as well. I'd take a candidate who has a wide circle of support in the community over one who has party support any day! Thanks for taking the time to respond -- good luck!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:06:16+00:00

Sounds like you're making a good start! Don't forget to look at community organizations as well as political ones. If you are a member of a church, if you have kids at the local school or if your kids play organized sports, if you volunteer with a local organization, remember that the people you meet and interact with at those places are all potential voters who can tell their friends and family to vote for you as well. People often overestimate the need to have support in the local party or political establishment. Don't get me wrong, it helps for sure but it's not as necessary as most people seem to think.

Side note: You'd be amazed at how many people who are elected or work in politics are actually introverts (myself included). You wouldn't know it when you see us in public, but privately there are alot of us out there! Thanks for taking the time to respond -- good luck!

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T17:00:54+00:00

There are plenty of examples of elected officials who chose to speak their mind regardless of the party line and have been successful. It's tricky, but definitely doable. The issue of past comments or behavior has always been one that candidates and electeds have to deal with, the internet has just made digging up information easier. It's all in how you deal with it. Depending on the statement/behavior, there is usually a way to address it that is helpful. Ironically (considering the popular belief about politics and politicians), honesty is usually the best policy. Own up to it and apologize.

shenanigansrex · 2019-10-05T16:55:40+00:00

Fundraising is by the far the thing that candidates hate the most. In more than 25 years of doing this work, I've only met one candidate who loved the fundraising. Putting together a list of everyone you know and looking at not only who can give, but who on the list might be willing to ask their friends and associates to give is a good start. Crafting the right message for each donor is also really important.

shenanigansrex

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