Running for Office: Deciding to Run

The decision to run for office is never an easy one. It’s not something you can decide in fifteen minutes; it takes days and months of contemplation – but the decision to run needs to be followed by the correct steps.

Step One – If you’re in a relationship – whether married, engaged or just dating – you need to talk it over with your partner first. They will be as much of a part of a campaign as you will be. Then, make sure you talk it over with your family. If your loved ones don’t support you then how can you ask others to support you? It just doesn’t work. Plus, it makes really bad press.

Step Two- Talk to the party leadership. Find out what kind of support you can be expecting – if any. If you are running as a challenger to an incumbent then you might want to skip this step – it’ll just piss them off even more.

Step Three- Form a campaign committee. Ask your closest and most powerful friends to be on the committee. They will be the foundation of your support – so make sure you have their loyalty! There are three key members of your committee that are an absolute must.

Chairman- This person needs to be three things. Well connected, intelligent and a loyal friend. This person is not your campaign manager. They must be kept in the loop on all big decisions – but should not micromanage the campaign (that’s what the staff’s for). They should help you build an organization and volunteer for every Lit Drop or campaign event and be present at every fundraiser/event.

Treasurer- This person is nothing more than your accountant. They handle the books and make sure nothing illegal happens with your campaign money. This person should not be a family member and should definitely NOT have the same last name. Money is your friend; so make sure your treasurer keeps very good care of it.

Finance Chair – You need money. Period. The two things that really win elections at the smaller level are money – money and field operations. Your treasurer makes sure you spend what you have, but your finance chair makes sure you have the money. This person should be someone extremely well connected in local politics and have access to large potential donors in the area. This person can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. Choose wisely!

Step Four- Hire your staff. This is something that not all campaigns will be able to do. Your staff may be paid or volunteer depending on the size of your election and the size of your wallet. Hiring a paid staffer is something that is very difficult. Interview several candidates and call their references! You have less say in a volunteer staff – they’re harder to fire, because they’re there on their own time and dime. However, if you can afford to hire a campaign staff start with a campaign manager and then if able branch off into field operations and then finance. If you can’t hire a full time staff your best bet may be a political consultant who can use their staff part time to work for you and you don’t front the full cost. Your staff can win or lose your campaign for you.

Step Five- Announce! Make it public, invite your friends and relish in the lime light. Take the night off and the next day hit the ground running!

- N. Webster