So, you want to run for local public office?
That is, you want to win your non-partisan race for a school board or city council seat.
Okay. Then, let's get started.
What follows is a general outline of the major areas of effort and consideration required to become a successful, probably first time, candidate for public office.
First, here is some important advice for any would be officeholder:
1. Running a campaign for local office is at least a 3 month, and possibly a 5 month, full time, fully consuming endeavor. If you cannot make the necessary commitment of time, money and energy, you will be wasting your time, money, energy and possibly your good name.
2. If elected, the duties of office will be very time consuming. In fact, serving the public is very much like a second job. For some, holding office even becomes a way of life. It is addictive. So, if you do not have plenty of extra time to commit to serving, do not sign up.
3. If elected, you will be sworn into office by taking an oath. Etch those oath of office words in your mind. They must guide your every action and every decision while in public office. And, they must guide your public as well as your private life. Because, you will no longer be a private citizen.
4. And, last. If elected, when you first notice that you no longer have the same level of enthusiasm for serving as when you were first elected, it is then time to begin planning your retirement from public office. Many elected officials are seduced into staying one term too many. That last one-term-too-many can easily, and often will, become a regretted experience.
Having said all that, it is now time for you to take a serious personal inventory of your qualifications. Before you throw your hat into the ring, answer these questions honestly:
1. Can you raise the money required to fully finance a campaign?
2. Do you have the time to conduct a campaign?
3. Do you have the time to serve?
4. Do you have the energy?
5. Do you have a constituency of support?
6. Do you have a record of community service?
7. Do you bring a special knowledge, understanding or experience to the job?
8. Do you have the support of your friends and family?
9. Are your lifestyle and values in sync with the history voters?
10. Do you have a 'clean' public record?
11. Would you be a broad interest rather than a single-issue or special interest candidate?
Frankly, with every 'no' or 'maybe', your chance of victory exponentially decreases. Especially when against an opponent with more 'yes' answers.
A weak personal inventory does not mean that you might never become an elected public officeholder. Instead, it would merely, but strongly, suggest that you require more time and preparation before making the leap.
Despite a weak personal inventory, here are some generally offsetting factors that can weigh in your favor:
1. You have access to a proven, successful political consultant.
2. You are a successful, well known professional.
3. Your family has a long record of community involvement.
4. Your opponent has a much weaker personal inventory.
5. You present yourself well in public.
6. You can speak convincingly in public.
7. You are viewed as credible, successful and trustworthy.
Much of the preceding requires personal judgments about one's self. Indeed, they may be too difficult for one to answer objectively. So, this could be a good time to call on your closest friends and family for their frank evaluations.
While political shortcomings and disadvantages can sometimes be overcome, there is at least one personal quality that must be in bountiful supply. It is something that you must possess. Indeed, it is the quality that drives one to overcome one's shortcomings and disadvantages.
It is called fire in the belly. Fire in the belly describes a person's deep, uncompromising, highly motivated, unrelenting, commitment to winning a political contest. While fire in the belly is absolutely necessary, it comes with a downside - it can blind you to reality. Meaning that no matter how motivated you may be, nor how much money you spend, nor how hard you work. there are some contests that you cannot win. And, you should have known that at the outset.
If after reading the above, you still want to run for office, and win; then, we need to talk. Send me an email with your phone number and the best time for me to call. Our talk will give us both a chance to determine whether I can be of help.
If we decide to proceed, my fee structure is simple and affordable. You can buy my consultation time in units of five hours for $250. You can start with one unit, or as many as you think you will need. You can use the Buy Now button located top right of page to make your payment.
You can click this link to read my public service resume, and this link to read more about major campaign topics.
R. Steve McCollum
