“I think you should run.” Those five words shook my world in March 2024. Surrounded by flashing lights, loud music, and paper petitions reflecting desire for change on every table, I heard those five words as if the room had fallen silent. “I think you should run.”
In today’s political climate, now is the time our communities need leaders with burning passion, palpable legal reasoning, and a vision that unites. Breaking into the political realm may seem unrealistic, as if the doorway is veiled in secrecy. In fact, the opposite is true. Take it from a first-time political candidate: That doorway is waiting for you to saunter through like you own the place. As you climb the steps up to the proverbial doorway of a political campaign, I hope you can rest easy on three personal truths I have learned to light my way.
Running for political office can easily become a full-time job. Not every role requires door-knocking every day and twice on Sundays. If you want to dip your toes in the political waters, consider a down-ballot race where the time and financial competition between candidates is less intense. Down-ballot races, such as those for municipal districts or transportation boards, often have tangible community impact despite being overlooked sometimes as lesser than their more advertised counterparts.
When I decided to run for office, I met a group of like-minded female candidates who were also rookie candidates. Each spoke highly of another female candidate in our local area who had run multiple times and had some wins, but mostly losses, under her belt. When I asked her what the difference was between a successful campaign and an unsuccessful one, her response was “momentum.” In my experience in a down-ballot race, I have found momentum through authentic conversations with my constituents. The engagement I have received via texting campaigns and social media blasts is dramatically different based on the level of personalization my message has. Authenticity is key in today’s political races.
The advice given to athletes training for long-distance runs is the same advice I would give other new political candidates: Never run alone. Part of running for political office is becoming more exposed to the general public than you may have ever been before. Your phone number, address, and finances all become matters of public discourse. Your spouse may lose their anonymity. When that lack of privacy begins to weigh on you, having a support system with firsthand knowledge in navigating those challenges is invaluable. Don’t shy away from finding organizations that dedicate their time and energy to helping you get your campaign off the ground. Go to local meetings for either or all political parties. Meet other politically inclined individuals and then ask for help. In your campaign, as in so much else, there is strength in numbers.
Now, it’s your turn. I think you should run.
