Are You Ready to Run For Local Office?

Should you run to represent your community this year? Here are some things to consider before taking the leap.

2023 may be an off-year for big national elections, but there’s still thousands of important local and municipal races happening across the country this election cycle.

Maybe you’ve been paying attention and have decided to take action on the biggest issues affecting our country right now. Maybe you’ve noticed a one-sided ballot in your county, and want to provide a challenge to the incumbent leadership. Maybe there’s an important matter affecting your hometown that you have ideas on how to solve. But is now the right time to run? Are you the right candidate?

If you are passionate about improving your community, you are exactly the kind of person who should be in local office. While the idea of running for office may be daunting, many people are more qualified than they realize for local positions.

If you believe your district is poorly represented and you have a vision for a better way, but are worried that:

• You won’t be able to afford it personally
• You don’t know the “right” people
• You don’t have the “right” background
• Your district has historically voted for conservative candidates

Then we encourage you to follow the path! There are ways to overcome all of these problems that aren’t as extreme as you might be thinking right now, and we’re here to help you find the best solution for your campaign. And, no matter what the election results, running for office can move the needle. The process will give you a platform to speak out about the issues that matter to you and propose solutions.

Even if there’s a good chance you might lose, progressive candidates on the ballot can push Republicans to compromise on their extreme stances, and blue-on-blue competition can force even the most comfortable incumbents to improve and do better. Election results can’t fully measure the impact that a passionate candidate can have on their district.

We think you can do it, and we want to lend support if you decide to move forward. But before you officially file, here are some things to think about to help you get clarity on whether you’re ready to run.

Know Your District

We know that the best leaders come directly from the communities they serve. No one else can truly comprehend the areas for growth, paths to success, and sociocultural history in a district.

The people making decisions about public transportation and affordable housing should be the same people who have taken the bus to work and looked for a decent apartment. Because how else can someone know what the community needs to grow?

While living and working in your district gives you a powerful perspective, it’s also essential to understand electoral information about your community.

The following questions should help guide your research, including your district borders and political history.

Get to Know Your District Map

• What are the boundaries of the district?
• What is the district’s Population?
• What is the Demographic breakdown?

Get to Know Your Community’s Political Landscape

• What have been the voter turnout numbers in your district in recent years?
• What have been key and wedge issues in your district in the past?

Find Groups Who Can Help

We understand that the barriers to office look different for everyone. We acknowledge that many groups have been historically discouraged from running for office based on race, gender, or income. If you are a member of any of these groups, know that there are organizations dedicated to supporting candidates like you.

We’ve put together a list of resources and groups committed to electing diverse candidates. This list is non-exhaustive, and there are many similar groups out there. The barriers to entry may vary from group to group, but the work you do can increase representation in your area, and inspire other members of your community!

Some examples of supportive groups you can reach out to include:

• She Should Run — a group that supports female candidates
• Victory Institute — a group that supports LGBTQIA+ candidates
• The Blue Institute — a group that supports young people of color running for office
• You can find our full list of recommended groups to reach out to here!

Consider the Commitment

Before you run for office, you should honestly consider your feelings about:

• Speaking in public
• Asking other people for money
• Giving up family and personal time
• Asking friends and strangers for help

If any of the above sounds impossible to you, then being a candidate may be the wrong fit. There are many impactful ways to serve your community other than running for office, and you can still support local campaigns and advocate for change. Campaigning is not for everyone, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Do a Trial Run

Before making the full commitment to run for office, consider doing a trial run for a local campaign. This will help you get to know the local political system and meet some movers and shakers, but, more than that, volunteering will help you assess your comfort levels with campaigning.

Push yourself to practice the following:

• Canvas for a state legislative or municipal candidate you believe in or canvas your neighborhood and ask about issues that your neighbors care about. Doing this will prove that you’re comfortable asking for votes.
• Raise $250 from your own network for a state legislative or municipal candidate you believe in. This will tell you whether you’re comfortable asking for money.

So, are you ready to run for local office?

Keep in mind that being uncomfortable is part of the process. Everyone gets scared the first time they speak in front of a large crowd or are interviewed by local news outlets. It is when we challenge ourselves and push our limits that we learn how capable and powerful we are.

If you want to run for office but you’re nervous, know that we think you can do it, and we are here to help.

For more on these topics, and even more guidance on making the decision to run, be sure to check out the free training guides at Campaign Academy. With Campaign Academy, our free resource for first-time candidates, our expert contributors will guide you through each step of the campaign process, with interactive lessons teaching you everything — from announcing a run to getting out the vote.

We hope you’ll take the first step in running for office today!