Has anyone here thought of running for political office?

[Orthonym]

I thought about running as a "Faithless Elector",

but it's probably too late to file here, not to mention the fix already being in among the big boys. Oh yeah; my Dad's still alive - don't mind the blackmail attempts myself, just don't want to hurt the old guy's feelings.

Edit: Just talking about this year's Prez-election.

 

[orangeninja]

solid advice grnzbra. I am working full time...and then some. For instance today was 14 hours long

Plus I am trying to finish my degree...online. So right now my resources are tapped. I only sleep about 6 hours a night and I uaually work about 10 to 12 days in a row. Building comp time like crazy. But I don't think I have much time to donate. I WILL though as soon as things slow down a bit. I.E. graduate...make LT. or somthing. I will hopefully help campaign for a local Sheriff.

Edit: forgot to mention. I am not allowed to run for office of ANY kind while working where I am. Secondly, while campaigning I am not allowed to tell people who I am employed with....bummer.

 

[AnklePocket]

I recently did as the Republican Candidate for Mayor in one of the largest towns of a rabidly "anti" state. My running joke was that I would move (the 2nd Amendment is, by far, my number one issue) or run for office. Somehow the joke became on me as I jumped in COMPLETELY cold 6 months before the election against one of the most entrenched and well funded local political parties in the nation (some also say the most corrupt, but I'm not sure if that's the right word).
Our local Republican Party is almost non-existent and the leadership that is there is extremely questionable. I hadn't even a remote clue as to what I was doing while I hired people to run my business who, by the way, worked out great and are all still on board. About halfway through I realized that I was thrown to the wolves and was in a position that absolutely no one wanted. There was no meaningful support and I was treated like a hot potato by many in the community. I was expected to lose 10 to 1.
I followed my instincts which were usually right. I messed up once, but it showed that I speak my mind which most responded favorably to. I faired even better once I broke away from my pathetic party and did my own thing.
All that I did was speak the truth with total disregard to the outcome. Also, I refused to get involved with negative campaigning and spoke highly of my opponent (who has over 30 years of political experience) while focusing on what I would do differently.
I got 40% of the vote which was 10% more than the last Republican Candidate for Mayor who was a State Senator.
To summarize: Please don't let me do that again. Please. I'm begging you. It was absolute torture for my family. Our stomachs sank every morning as we went out to get the paper. My car was vandalized and I was surrounded by idiots. It was truly a bad experience and I will not repeat it.
Of course, if I do it again, I will not lose. Maybe my opponent will find out that I'm into guns .
The worst thing was how many people are absolutely afraid to speak their minds about important matters. It was very ominous. My wife made me promise to never repeat the correlation that I made to this phenomenon.

 

[Ala Dan]

Yep, Sheriff (Laughing Loudly)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[grnzbra]

Secondly, while campaigning I am not allowed to tell people who I am employed with....bummer

Yeah, I know what that's about. Whenever I had a candidate over to the house to meet the neighbors, my wife had to leave because she works for a state law enforcement agency.

It's also the pits that the police brass can get up there and stand behind an anti gun candidate, giving the impression that rank and file LEOs are four square behind him, but the rank and file can't get up there and get the truth out.

I understand the idea of being tight for time, but make contact now so that they see your face, get to know you and will be there for you when you make your move. If you really want to run for office, don't let other things keep making it a "someday" thing. "Someday" never comes. Pick a date in the future 3 years, 5 years, etc (beyond 5, and your getting into "someday") and work toward that.

Good luck on the campaign trail.

 

[Swamprabbit]

I was appointed to fill a vacant spot on a small community city council several years ago. I completed the one year left and was re-elected to a full term. The election wasn't any big deal because I wasn't opposed. To serve in an elected position, you HAVE to know how to both work with, and "work", people. The biggest issue I had to deal with was a local property tax. Here in KY, incorporated cities are constitutionally required to have an ad volerum property tax and my city didn't have one. When the state government drew the line in the sand on us, we had to pass one. I did it and you can imagine the grief I sufferred for it.

You also have to be very patient with all the late night calls from constituents with various issues and gripes (they never call to tell you "good job"). Small town politics isn't glorious - just nuts and bolts gritt.

I did not run for re-election primarily because I was moving out of the town so wouldn't be qualifed to sit on the council anyway.

I have been studying the idea of running for a county wide office some day but...who knows?

 

[SodaPop]

I've thought about running for Mayor.

There are a few people that come to the THR shoots that have run for office. One ran for Senate in DE.

 

[Jick42]

Office

I too, am 26. I have already served as President of the Chamber of Commerce in my town and would love to run for Alderman or possibly Mayor. My mother also serves as an Alderwoman in the town i use to live in. I feel Politics, is as a Teacher. A True Teacher or a True Politician cares about people. A true teacher is not there just to recieve a paycheck, they are there because they want to make a difference. Politics is no different, if you truly have the heart to make a difference, then by all means GO FOR IT!