Have you ever thought about running for local office? Maybe the idea has crossed your mind after seeing some lackluster candidate on the ballot, or maybe you’ve never even considered it before. But here’s the thing: you should. Local offices—city commissions, school boards, even state representative seats—are filled with people who, more often than not, are so deeply entrenched in partisan politics that they forget about the very folks they’re supposed to represent.
Here’s the good news: we can change that.
The question is, why aren’t more regular people running? You don’t need to be a career politician. In fact, we need fewer career politicians. We need people who care about their communities, who understand what it means to be fiscally responsible and believe in the power of limited government. We need people who see the value of free-market solutions that allow communities to thrive—real people, like you.
The Problem With “The Usual Crowd”
Let’s face it, so many of the folks running for office are political insiders, so locked into party lines that they’ve become disconnected from what truly matters. Their campaigns are full of divisive rhetoric, finger-pointing, and empty promises. What’s lost in the shuffle? Local issues—the very things that affect your day-to-day life, from zoning laws to school curriculum to local business regulations.
Instead of more of the same, wouldn’t you like to see people who actually care about fixing these problems? People who don’t just check boxes for a national party but are truly invested in making their local communities better?
That’s where you come in.
Why You Should Run for Local Office
You’re likely already more qualified than you think. You know the challenges your community faces. You’ve felt the effects of local regulations on small businesses or watched as out-of-touch politicians made decisions that don’t reflect your values.
What local communities need are leaders who understand the importance of community-driven solutions—people who understand what it means to be fiscally conservative without sacrificing innovation. Leaders who can balance a budget and find creative ways to solve problems without more government overreach. We need individuals who will advocate for limited government, but big ideas—for free-market principles that encourage growth and empowerment, not dependence.
Running for office isn’t about grandstanding or becoming part of the political elite. It’s about stepping up to serve the community that raised you, that supports you, and that, with the right leadership, can thrive.
How to Get the Ball Rolling
So, where do you start? Running for local office may seem daunting, but it’s actually more accessible than many people think.
1. Start with Research: Look into the offices up for election in your area. Maybe there’s an open seat on the city commission or school board. You’ll also want to know the key dates, such as filing deadlines and election day.
2. Talk to Local Officials: Don’t hesitate to reach out to current officeholders. Learn from them! Attend city council or school board meetings, ask questions, and get a feel for the issues they’re dealing with.
3. Build a Network: Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. You’ll need a core team—folks who can help you navigate the logistics of running a campaign, but who also share your values. These people are crucial, and you’ll need to trust them.
4. Make Your Pitch: Why are you running? Develop a message that speaks to the local issues. Is it overreaching zoning laws stifling small businesses? Is it a lack of transparency in local government? Make sure your message is local and resonates with your community.
The Essential Team
If you’re going to run a successful campaign, you’ll need a few key players:
• Campaign Manager: This person is your right hand. They’ll help keep your campaign on track, handle the day-to-day operations, and be the point of contact for your entire team.
• Treasurer: Managing campaign finances is no small task. You’ll need someone you trust to handle the money, ensure compliance with campaign finance laws, and stretch every dollar for maximum impact.
• Communications Director: Your message is everything. A strong communications director will help craft and distribute that message through speeches, social media, and outreach to the community and press.
• Field Organizer: Local elections are often won by the ground game—door knocking, phone banking, and meeting with voters face-to-face. A field organizer will help coordinate volunteers and ensure you’re connecting with your community.
Why We Need You—Yes, You
You might be thinking, “This all sounds great, but I’m just a regular person. What could I possibly bring to the table?”
Everything. You bring a fresh perspective, you care about your community, and you believe in finding solutions that don’t involve more government, more taxes, or more bureaucracy. You understand that local governments should serve the people, not the other way around.
At the end of the day, local government is where change happens—real, tangible change that affects our daily lives. And it’s about time that the people making those decisions are folks who actually live and work in the communities they represent.
So, have you ever considered running for local office? Maybe it’s time you did.
It’s time to step up, to serve your community, and to help bring forward policies that help us thrive, not dive. Our communities need leaders who understand the importance of community-driven solutions, and that’s where you come in. Running for office isn’t just for the political elite—it’s for people who care about the real issues facing their neighbors.
You don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to care enough to find them. And maybe that person is you.
Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor
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