Should You Run for Local Office?

Are you thinking about running for local office? Maybe you want to serve on the town council or the county board of supervisors. Perhaps as a township trustee or homeowners association president. Maybe you want to take it a step higher and run for the state legislature.

In my twenties, I ran twice (both times unsuccessfully) for my local town council. Many people will say you learn more from losing than from winning, and I believe this is true. However, I've also learned from winning. In addition to being elected to leadership positions in local community organizations, I played a part in several winning political races. In short, I know a thing or two about what it takes to win local office.

Here are some principles to keep in mind as you consider and prepare for your political future.

Know What You Stand For

If all you want is the title or the position, don't run. Yes, if you have a natural "sales" type personality and are particularly good with people, you might win. But for what? Don't be a vain, self-serving politician. We have plenty of those.

What do YOU stand for? What will YOU bring to the table? How will you make the community or neighborhood a better place? And why YOU? Don't be so arrogant as to assume that, of all the people living in your community, you're far and away the best qualified to serve in local office. However, you should have a clear and confident sense of purpose as to why YOU want to serve in that position.

Firm Up on the Fundamentals

Know the basics of the position BEFORE you run for it. Start with your basic US citizenship. Read the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. You probably haven't even looked at them since high school, have you? Then, read your state constitution. If you can't motivate yourself to read these documents, don't run. If you are elected to a government post (as opposed to, say, homeowners association president), you will probably take an oath to the US Constitution or at least the state constitution. Should you not know a little about what you're taking an oath to uphold?

Also, learn how the office works. When I ran for town council the first time, I attended several of the public hearings, but none of the work sessions. That was a mistake. I would've had a much better idea of the behind-the-scenes workings of the council and where each of the council members stood on certain issues, had I done so. The work sessions are much more informal than the public hearings.

Learn Your Community

Go to homeowners association meetings. Attend Rotary Club and/or Jaycee meetings. Go to the Chamber of Commerce mixers. Eat at the public firehouse breakfasts. Visit the American Legion or VFW halls occasionally. Read the weekly community newspapers. Talk to the people. Get to know them.

Build Your Network

This may take months or it may take years. It cannot happen overnight, unless you're fortunate to be rich and/or part of an already well-connected family. You need to make friends throughout the community, and build a conscious network of community support.

A politician needs a base. Without a base to run from, you will not succeed. In my old hometown (several years before I ran for town council), there was a man named Jeff who wanted to get involved. He had no political experience. He was a complete outsider, at least in terms of the town's business and political elite. But he was exceptionally active in his church (a large Catholic Church in town) and the local sports league. He mobilized his network of friends and acquaintances -- and won. It's all about your base.

The above principles are critical for helping you decide whether and when to run for local office. If you want to know the mechanics of HOW to run, stay tuned for future articles.