Deciding to Run

Pursuing a career in public service presents you with a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in your community, your state, and possibly even your country. Running for office, however, will have a significant impact on your life and the lives of your family members. As such, it is a decision that should only be made after consultation with your loved ones, assessment of your strengths and weaknesses, and careful consideration of the personal and political factors at play. Following are the questions you should consider before deciding to throw your hat in the ring:

Personal Assessment

• Does your family support you?  Campaigns can be taxing physically, emotionally, and financially for you and your loved ones. Discuss the ramifications honestly with your family before deciding if your time is now.
• Are you on solid ground financially?  You don’t have to be independently wealthy to run for office, but having the financial flexibility to devote necessary time to your campaign will go a long way toward making you a more viable candidate.
• Are you in good health?  Working around the clock, canvassing neighborhoods by the hour and grabbing meals on the run are often rules rather than exceptions during campaign season. Make sure you’re up to the challenge both physically and mentally.
• Are you willing to ask friends and family for help?  Whether asking for contributions, volunteers or votes, your role as a candidate will be to enlist others’ help to get you elected. If you aren’t willing to ask those closest to you for a contribution, chances are that running for office is not for you.
• Do you have potential negatives?  The Murphy’s Law of politics is that if it can be used against you, it will. Be sure to conduct a detailed assessment of your personal, professional and financial background, discuss possible land mines with your trusted advisors/staff and or consultants, assess potential political damage and weigh your concerns about privacy before diving in.
• Are you qualified?  What experience do you have that will translate to a career in public service, and that lends itself to this office in particular? Being able to articulate your qualifications is critical to enlisting early support and keeping other potential candidates at bay.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?  Do you have command of the issues but a fear of public speaking? Do you enjoy making fundraising calls but loathe campaigning door to door? Assess your capabilities and design your campaign plan to maximize your positives and compensate for, or help you overcome, your negatives.
• Do you have a public profile?  Are you well-known in your district? How widespread is your name ID? Do you have a built-in constituency based on your work on a local issue or within a specific community? What are your negatives? Assessing your standing in the community – if necessary through polls and/or focus groups – will help determine your viability.
• What is your motivation for running?  Has a particular issue spurred you to action? Do you want to achieve specific outcomes for your community? Do you have aspirations for higher office? Understanding your own motivations will help you determine which political opportunity is your best, and ultimately help you define your message.
• Can you raise the money you need to win?  Make a list of every person you will ask for money and assign a dollar amount you assume they will give. Include funds you can reasonable expect from interest groups, your local party, and community organizations that will support you. Can you see your way to raising the money you’ll need to win? If not, reexamine your list or reconsider your options.

Political Assessment

• Is the race winnable?  Understanding the basic details of your race such as the historical party performance in your district, the partisan split  of your registered voters, voter turnout in the last similar election, and the cost of the last campaign will help you make an informed decision about if and when to run and what it will take to win.
• Does this particular race present your best opportunity?  Is the race an open seat? If not, is the incumbent vulnerable? Are you the best messenger on the issues that will define this race? Would waiting until the next election cycle, or choosing to run for a different office, be a better fit?
• Have you done your politics?  Have you reached out to party leaders, local elected officials, key civic leaders and activists, major donors and others to discuss your plans to run and to solicit their advice and support? Your decision to run shouldn’t come as a surprise to those whose help you will need in order to win.
• What external factors will influence your race? What other elections and initiatives will appear on the ballot on Election Day? Do you expect your district to be a focus of intense activity by other candidates? Are specific hot-button issues expected to drive turnout? Will the state and/or local party poll, organize or distribute literature on your behalf? Understand your race within the overall context in which  it will be run and develop your plan accordingly.