Anybody here ever run for political office?

I keep having these crazy notions of running for a State Representative position. My current Rep. is less than desirable and has run unopposed for the last two election cycles. He has done so many shady things that everybody except for the farthest leaning Democrats have seemed to distance themselves from him.

Now I am far from the perfect candidate, I've done some things that have been considered questionable by others, I sometimes tend to talk like a trucker (which I am), have never been to college, and I have smoked pot (and liked it!).

My strengths are that I actually value others opinions, believe in common sense, and that I tend to mirror my areas general population in thoughts and core beliefs. I have no fear in public speaking, tend to control conversations with others and at times have actually come across as being articulate. I feel that I may have a chance because I am the voting public, not a career politician.

The thing is nobody has announced any intention of running against the incumbent. With the proposed shift in the political climate for the next elections I think that now is the time to take back this seat for the residents of my district. The incumbent certainly seems vulnerable and the need for common sense needs to prevail.

I guess I am just looking for insight from those who might have put themselves out there under the microscope of the public.

Thanks, Martin

Good luck if you do it. just remember that anything, and I mean everything that you have done that might be questionable (like drivin them ferign cars) will be used against you.

It will consume all of your money, time, and sanity. On top of that you will probably lose. If that sounds appealing, I would say go for it!

Do it. Don't take yourself too seriously and you'll be fine.

Also, keep us up to date on how things are going.

ansonivan wrote: Do it. Don't take yourself too seriously and you'll be fine. Also, keep us up to date on how things are going.

yea i say do it too. after all that's what government should be.

You are a brave brave man, and just a little

How are you a lying and not getting caught. That seems to be a requirement to be a politician.

Go for it. You just might be what the people around you are looking for.

You'll need to show that your organized and can get things done.

Have substantial business or management experience?

If you run as a liberal you'll need to conform to most of the platform, conservative likewise. If your running as independent you'll be forced to spend lots of money trying to tell your voter how exactly you plan to serve them, if you don't do that then you'll be ignored.

A guy about my age (26) ran two years ago for local office against a fairly well liked Republican. The young guy used Facebook and MySpace and all the technology he could get his hands on, but unfortunately the majority of gun-totin, blue collar, hard workin men and woman of the conservative county didn't know him.

PHeller wrote: A guy about my age (26) ran two years ago for local office against a fairly well liked Republican. The young guy used Facebook and MySpace and all the technology he could get his hands on, but unfortunately the majority of gun-totin, blue collar, hard workin men and woman of the conservative county didn't know him.

This is why I havn't bothered to run for any local spot against an unopposed Rep. That and despite my "liberal" tendancies, I find Reps. tend to do a better job on the local level.

I ran for student council president in jr high. I put a lot of effort into some sweet posters but was blown out of the water by someone who's mom made about 1200 cupcakes,

That's politics for ya'.

Thanks for all the replies. Wifey still isn't sure of what to think yet and she will have the final say. I still have 2 1/2 months until a petition is due so there is some time yet to mull this over. Who knows maybe somebody who I do believe in will step up - but all the other offices have had their candidates announce some time ago.

Wally can you get the me the cupcake ladies name? I could use abut 60,000 of those puppies if I decide to do this.

The only problem I can see is, if you get elected, think of the people you'll now have as co-workers. Ick.

A family friend attempted to run for a State Rep position against an unopposed 'pick' of the Republican party. He found out in a hurry just how evil and insidious this process is. They twisted every miniscule piece of his history to try and discredit him. In addition, a well-heeled 'friend' of the Chosen One funded a lawsuit to challenge the signatures on the petition. If the person does not sign their name EXACTLY like it appears on their voter registration, that sig can be discredited. They were able to negate enough signatures on technicalities to keep the friend off the ballot.

If you're not selected by the parties of power, good luck. I'm not saying don't do it, but it will be a huge uphill battle.

Yep, everything Ddavidv said, plus if you have no experience I would start at the local level. Get on your town board or volunteer to a couple of committees. Network, get to know Roberts Rules of Order, kiss babies. It's a big commitment of your time, money and sanity.

You already know politics are politically motivated. What's right, what makes sense may or may not be a byproduct.

My family are Irish Democrats in Albany, NY. I just smile and nod, show up for the beer and the wakes. It's the only way to keep your sanity.

Dan

Sometimes I feel the same way marty does. I wonder if a grassroots write-in campaign could go anywhere as far as local city council etc goes?

I don't know what ever happened to the cookie lady but remember, it's shake hands, kiss babies. Never the other way around.

ddavidv wrote: A family friend attempted to run for a State Rep position against an unopposed 'pick' of the Republican party. He found out in a hurry just how evil and insidious this process is. They twisted every miniscule piece of his history to try and discredit him. In addition, a well-heeled 'friend' of the Chosen One funded a lawsuit to challenge the signatures on the petition. If the person does not sign their name EXACTLY like it appears on their voter registration, that sig can be discredited. They were able to negate enough signatures on technicalities to keep the friend off the ballot. If you're not selected by the parties of power, good luck. I'm not saying don't do it, but it will be a huge uphill battle.

This is the exact reason TO do it, if you can handle it, that is. Don't worry about experience, just run and see what you get. Check out goooh.com (get out of our house) and read up on that project - it might be worthwhile. They are attempting to finance opponents to incumbents in all federal congressional districts and ARE NOT party specific. They don't care what your politics are, their goal is to replace career politicians with real actual citizens. Just like the farmers that started this country.

Even if you don't go the goooh route, it's still a great idea. Please replace those idiots.

Don't know if WW is in your district or not, but go and campaign there and on facebook if it is. Thats a boatload of votes, especially kids who would be fed up with the system as it is.

I wonder if a grassroots write-in campaign could go anywhere as far as local city council etc goes?

It worked here in BFE. People were so sick of the status quo they would've voted for a turd on a stick. A lot of "outsiders" purchased homes within the city limits, simply so they could vote/run for office.

The result has been immediate and amazing. Rather than the old-guard skexis lumbering around dropping big piles of dough on SHADY-ass land deals within the good-ole-boy network, the new leadership is working to help the business owners/promote tourism.

As much as I hate politics I have actually considered running for office before just to try and see if I could make a difference for the better. Actually out here running local wouldn't be that difficult, heck a few years ago we had a really young kid as mayor of one of the neighboring towns (think he was 18 or 19).

I have been approached a few times, asking if i would consider running for local office(county commission,) the reason stated were because of my honesty, integrity, and "tell it like it is" ways.. I declined , because I don't feel the vast majority of people, even locally really want some one will tell them things they don't want to hear (like the truth..) I was "removed" from an appointed position once (a volunteer agency) for asking a fellow board member in a public forum, "why are you asking us to vote for a contract for your cousins company?." They told me "you dont understand how things work!" my answer was simple, "i under stand exactly how things work and that's what your afraid of... " apparently I also lack the necessary "tact."
If you can make it work without being required to sacrifice what makes it important in the first place, then go for it, but be prepared for allot of challenges to your personal ethics...

I tried running for office(General Sessions Judge). Since you are reading this forum you probably are not committed enough to win. True politicians spend every waking moment figuring out how to get into office and stay there. People will lie, cheat and steal and that's just the normal voter. People who promised to help wouldnt even return phone calls once the campaign started. The political insiders are even worse. Every action you have ever taken in public will be used against you. I was even criticized for driving my little red car. We spent the equivalent of 3 yrs racing budget. I knocked on 90% of the doors of the registered voters in the county. I shook a lot of hands and kissed a lot of babies. Only 8200 of the 28000 registered voters in my home county voted. The cost for vote for my opponent and I was incredible. I found it to be a totally humiliating experience because everyone wanted to be pandered to in the process. I have worked on campaigns before and since and while I still keep involved in politics, I have a totally different view of the world with that experience.
When the same office came up this winter, I spent money on cars, trips and other fun things rather than politics. I am much, much happier for that decision. This is a great country and it requires our involvement but as is stated numerous times above, get ready to sell your soul if you want to be elected. I was not prepared to do it again.

I was elected President of my Fraternity...does that count?