So you want to run for political office?

I’m going to assume that you’re sincere in your professed desire to Make A Difference, and that you truly believe you can Do Better Than the Other Guy/Gal. You seem knowledgeable and eager to get to work. Still, I have some questions for you.

1. Do you have the complete, unwavering support of your family/loved ones? Have you explained to them that opposition may get tough, if not downright nasty? Your opponent may spread lies about you, or use push-polls against you. And do they truly understand that your free time vanished the moment you said you were entering the race? If there’s any hesitancy on the part of your mate, then you should reconsider. Their support is crucial.

2. Have you established a team of volunteers? This ain’t no one-person-show; it’s going to take a core group of supporters to help you through the next 18 months onto victory. Volunteers are KEY to a winning campaign. Treat them like the gold they are.

3. Have you spoken with community leaders? Have you approached your party leaders and heads of businesses in your district? Invite them over for coffee, go to their offices – take every opportunity to listen and learn what your district’s key issues are.

4. Are you shy about asking folks for money? Well, get over it. It takes money to buy yard signs, cowboy cards (brochures you’ll hand to people at their doors), radio ads, mailers, tv ads, etc. Your volunteers will do an excellent job helping to organize fundraisers, but you, Ms. Candidate, are going to be making hundreds of phone calls, seeking contributions.

5. Are you ready to door-knock? Art and I went through several pairs of shoes, and you will, too. You need to be in your district, speaking with voters, and you need to do this A LOT. On weekdays, we’d wait until around 4:30 (so that Art would be more apt to catch people at home), and door-knocked until dusk. Saturdays and Sundays will give you extra time to be at the doors. You will miss all of your favorite sports and TV shows. You’ll miss your own family gatherings after church on Sunday (see question #1). You’ll need to buy an umbrella, because a little rain isn’t an excuse to stay home. Take plenty of water, bug spray, and hand sanitizer.

6. Have you walked your entire district? Then do it again…and again. Try to catch the folks you missed the first two times. More than one hot Saturday afternoon, we would come home because the heat made one of us ill. After throwing up (sorry for the vulgarity), we’d brush our teeth, refill our water bottles and head back out to take advantage of the remaining sunlight. You gotta want this so bad, you’re willing to do the work.

7. Do you have good handwriting? Because everyone you met at the door needs to get a follow-up note. When you finally return home from door-knocking, head straight for the dining room table and start writing. It can be as simple as “thank you for taking the time to speak with me this evening”. It’s an unfortunate fact that you’ll need to make more than one voter contact before they’re likely to vote for you. Plus, it’s plain good manners.

This may seem like more of a sacrifice than you’re willing to make (there have been many occasions I’d agree with you), but it’s going to be worth it. Because one day, long after you’ve held office, you’ll run into a constituent at Hy-Vee who’ll say, “Thank you, Representative. Because of your work on such-and-such a bill, my child was able to receive the help he needed.” You’ll know you’ve made a positive difference in the lives of the people you represent.

Art is back in the classroom teaching, but tomorrow after school we’ll again be door-knocking, getting input from voters for the next legislative Session. The work doesn’t end on election night; it begins.

Still interested in running for political office? Then clear your schedule and get your walking shoes on. Best of luck to you!