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Why Should Someone Run for Public Elected Office?

There are many reasons why people choose to run for office -- generally because they hope they can make a difference.

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1. Policy and Issues
Many candidates have run with the strategy of pushing the one great issue or at least got involved in politics originally because of their concern about a single issue. For some, this issue is broad based like crime, education, civil rights, economic development. For others, it can be a very specific issue like a zoning proposal, a tax proposal, historical preservation, or simply failure of the current administration to pick up the garbage on time. Many mayors across this nation have gone down to defeat by a snow storm. This can be the most compelling reason for political action; but, you must be careful that the issue isn’t too focused and you fail to support the needs of the general voting public as a “One Trick Pony.”

2. Community Involvement
Many candidates run because they are involved in a number of community based organizations and want to have “a vote, not just a voice.” These potential candidates usually have been involved in community councils, the League of Women Voters, the Chamber of Commerce, a labor organization, or a service club like the Lions or Kiwanis. The flip side of this is candidates who run to extend their social network. They may have recently moved into an area and find that a campaign is a good place to get to meet people from every part of the community.

3. Professional Advancement
Many candidates run to increase their professional network by getting to meet people from the same and other related professions who are active in the community and share many of the same goals. Campaigning can be a good way to make business contacts. Some might run as a precursor to seeking a future political appointment and expanding their network into the realm of political people who make those appointments. Candidates whose careers depend on high name recognition as the best marketing strategy often find political campaigns a satisfying experience both personally and professionally. Others might choose to run for intangible reasons dealing with changing the routine of their lives or choosing a new career path. This is particularly true for recent retirees.

4. Party and Other Organizational Needs
Many candidates choose to run simply because the Party or another organization asked them to run. These people are loyal to the Party or another organization. Many may have wanted to run for other reasons listed here, but the Party or organization was the catalyst that moved them to action. Frequently, such candidates have a long-term commitment to the goals of the organization and will take their objectives seriously. It is important to note that the objectives for such candidacies may not be to win, as may be the case for other reasons for becoming a candidate.

5. "I Can Do Better"
Many candidates run simply because they know that they are more intelligent, more concerned about their neighbors, or have better abilities than the current officeholder. It is joked that all you have to do to get this kind of motivation is to sit in the gallery at the State Legislature or attend a City Council meeting for an hour or so. Elected officials tend to offer a wide mix of people with differing levels of intelligence, emotional strength, and ability. Some will be found wanting.

6. "I Want to do that Job"
Many candidates run simply because they want to do the job. They might find that they are interested in being the Governor, or a legislator, or a City Council member. Perhaps they are interested in the types of issues that come to that official’s desk. If you are interested in tax policy becoming a member of the State Legislature’s Taxation and Revenue Standing Committee may be just the ticket to a fulfilling pastime. Or perhaps the candidate wants the prestige that goes along with a specific job. The U. S. Senate has been called “the most exclusive club in America.” Some people just want to belong to the club.

Consider running for public office. Click here to get started.