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.