Anybody run for office before?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Long story short, I'm likely going to run for a county office.

Long story:

We have a history of some poorly-chosen individuals for some key offices in our county. We have one lady in office who has been appointed by the governor to the same office twice, yet she has never won an election. We had a 28 year old man elected to an office who had to quit when it was determined that he was a former felon (holding the office of auditor to make things worse). We have another woman currently in office who goes in to do work roughly 3-5 hours a week in what should be a 30 hour job at a minimum.

I'm going to be running for one of the offices. I'm somewhat of a flexible, in that I can run in any office they need me (could be treasurer, auditor, or assessor). I have former office holders amongst my friends that will be assisting in sign placement and fundraising.

Anyone ran for city/county offices before? I know these offices are a different beast than state/federal. Any pitfalls that you ran into that I might look out for going forward?

[digamma]

Kyle,

Tell us about HornsManiac.

[Subby]

The only thing I can think of is that you might want to stop using the internet.

[Ben E Lou]

The only thing I can think of is that you might want to stop using the internet.
...Only after he deletes every post he has ever made here, and probably in several other places.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The only thing I can think of is that you might want to stop using the internet.

:)

I do keep a pretty tight check on what goes out. Google Alerts is a fantastic way to monitor things about you or your business.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

...Only after he deletes every post he has ever made here, and probably in several other places.

Honestly, most of that would only help in the county I'm in. Republican and Mizzou fan are attractive attributes in this county.

[JediKooter]

You should hire this guys campaign press secretary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnx-SqMYknI

[JonInMiddleGA]

Yes, been there & done that. A miserable experience that I wouldn't recommend except to the hardiest of souls. Be prepared - win or lose - to come away with a considerably lower opinion of your neighbors than you started with.

If you wanted one piece of actual advice (as opposed to depressing commentary), I'd probably offer this: believe virtually nothing you're told while campaigning, there's no shortage of people hedging their bets no matter what they say to you

Beyond that, I'd also advise being prepared to deal with the most arduous experience of your life, and I mean that not only mentally & emotionally but physically as well. And my area was limited to a few thousand people in a very small city geographic footprint, I have to imagine a county-level office will be even more demanding due to both size & physical territory.

edit to add: feel free to PM me if you want to know more about how to get the living hell beat out of you

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Yes, been there & done that. A miserable experience that I wouldn't recommend except to the hardiest of souls. Be prepared - win or lose - to come away with a considerably lower opinion of your neighbors than you started with.

If you wanted one piece of actual advice (as opposed to depressing commentary), I'd probably offer this: believe virtually nothing you're told while campaigning, there's no shortage of people hedging their bets no matter what they say to you

Beyond that, I'd also advise being prepared to deal with the most arduous experience of your life, and I mean that not only mentally & emotionally but physically as well. And my area was limited to a few thousand people in a very small city geographic footprint, I have to imagine a county-level office will be even more demanding due to both size & physical territory.

edit to add: feel free to PM me if you want to know more about how to get the living hell beat out of you

Yeah, I've already started the process of sorting through the information. There's a lot of people that will tell you a lot of things, but it all has to be taken with a 5 lb. chunk of salt.

Just to add information, the offices carry no term limits. If you are elected to two terms in an office, you are immediately vested. You get a pension and health benefits after you leave office. My business will continue to run, but I'll be using other employees to reduce my 'office time' there.

[stevew]

Is this one of those offices where R/D really doesn't matter and you can file for both primaries? If so, it seems like the most cost effective strategy is to full press the primary and try to get both nominations. A family friend ran for county judge, but only won one side. So he basically doubled down running for gen election as well. And lost by a few hundred votes. I'm guessing he wishes he would have spent more early, cause he almost carried the D side in the primary.

[Logan]

edit to add: feel free to PM me if you want to know more about how to get the living hell beat out of you

Spoiler alert: Answer is to re-read this spring's NCAA Basketball Coaching Changes thread.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Is this one of those offices where R/D really doesn't matter and you can file for both primaries? If so, it seems like the most cost effective strategy is to full press the primary and try to get both nominations. A family friend ran for county judge, but only won one side. So he basically doubled down running for gen election as well. And lost by a few hundred votes. I'm guessing he wishes he would have spent more early, cause he almost carried the D side in the primary.

No, that's not an option in this case. I had to pick. I chose to run as a Republican. The county is around 55-57% Republican. Votes in county offices generally fall roughly along party lines in presidential election years (which is when I'd be running). It appears that I won't have to worry about a primary, which should work out well. Just have to win the regular election.

[JonInMiddleGA]

No, that's not an option in this case. I had to pick. I chose to run as a Republican. The county is around 55-57% Republican. Votes in county offices generally fall roughly along party lines in presidential election years (which is when I'd be running). It appears that I won't have to worry about a primary, which should work out well. Just have to win the regular election.

Here's another tip, assuming that your voter registration/participation info is available from the state like it is here. Look closely at the history of voters, if they sat out the last Pres. cycle (or two) then they aren't likely to be relevant to your bid either.

In case someone wonders what the heck I'm talking about, in Georgia anyone can buy the voter registration list. With it comes their participation history for the past (IIRC) decade, as well as what year they first registered in the jurisdiction, and which elections they've taken part in (including which party primary they've voted in). It doesn't tell you who they voted for obviously, but it does tell you how likely they are to vote & with the primary info you can somewhat readily separate them into at least three camps (R, D, and mixed, which there were very few of in my case). You could also separate them into those who tended to be more active voters in general elections vs primaries.

edit to add: take that info & start grouping by address & the priority for any door to door/face to face you do becomes pretty clear

[EagleFan]

Best of luck with it.

I have thought about it, as I know that I could fix things if given absolute power (and if people would look the other way when asked) but I doubt that will happen.

(posts like that would probably end up biting me in the ***)

[JonInMiddleGA]

(posts like that would probably end up biting me in the ***)

Probably not unless you list yourself as EagleFan on the ballot ;)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Here's another tip, assuming that your voter registration/participation info is available from the state like it is here. Look closely at the history of voters, if they sat out the last Pres. cycle (or two) then they aren't likely to be relevant to your bid either.

In case someone wonders what the heck I'm talking about, in Georgia anyone can buy the voter registration list. With it comes their participation history for the past (IIRC) decade, as well as what year they first registered in the jurisdiction, and which elections they've taken part in (including which party primary they've voted in). It doesn't tell you who they voted for obviously, but it does tell you how likely they are to vote & with the primary info you can somewhat readily separate them into at least three camps (R, D, and mixed, which there were very few of in my case). You could also separate them into those who tended to be more active voters in general elections vs primaries.

edit to add: take that info & start grouping by address & the priority for any door to door/face to face you do becomes pretty clear

The party leaders in the area already have that information available for candidates. Not sure what information is available, but they've already done quite a bit of analysis on it and will provide that to candidates.

[EagleFan]

Probably not unless you list yourself as EagleFan on the ballot ;)

Crap, already made my first mistake... :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Crap, already made my first mistake... :)

Dammit EF, yo ass better call somebody. Seems obvious you're gonna need help if we're going to avoid having you be the next scandal victim.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The party leaders in the area already have that information available for candidates. Not sure what information is available, but they've already done quite a bit of analysis on it and will provide that to candidates.

{scratches chin, ponders own advice}

You running unopposed in the primary?

[spleen1015]

I think you would be a good PR person.

[lungs]

My dad is on the town board of a local township which is an elected non-partisan position. His first election was determined by a coin flip as there was a tie. He has run unopposed ever since.

Some people have encouraged him to go for a county supervisor position but he refuses as things get much more political at the county level than the township level. He is in a moderate township where liberals and conservatives both serve on the board and reach easy consensus. Doesn't happen at the county level and he wants nothing to do with that.

I know some around here think I may get involved with politics but it couldn't be further from my mind. I hate kissing people's asses and I've got so much dirt in my closet ranging from drug use to hiring illegal immigrants that I think I'll just leave well enough alone and stay on the farm :)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

{scratches chin, ponders own advice}

You running unopposed in the primary?

:)

That's the plan as it stands now. I'll let you know for sure in a couple months when filing take place.

[JonInMiddleGA]

:)


LOL, I think I just figured out what you may have thought I meant. I was actually thinking about the whole "don't trust anybody" aspect of my advice.

I can assure you that under no circumstances will I ever run for office again, but that guarantee goes exponentially higher in any area where I haven't lived long enough to bury at least two generations of cousins.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

LOL, I think I just figured out what you may have thought I meant. I was actually thinking about the whole "don't trust anybody" aspect of my advice.

I can assure you that under no circumstances will I ever run for office again, but that guarantee goes exponentially higher in any area where I haven't lived long enough to bury at least two generations of cousins.

No, I knew what you were talking about. It's a weak form of trust to be sure with some of the players in politics.

[Toddzilla]

Look, If a fucking lunatic like Jesse Ventura can go door-to-door and win a mayoral election, you can do the same.

[JPhillips]

Wait I thought you were an independent.



Seriously, my Dad ran for office a couple of times, and it ruined a lot of friendships. Dad wasn't one to go along to get ahead and some people that had been long time friends did things behind his back to screw him. It's why I'm very interested in politics and policy, but wouldn't go without 100 feet of running for an office.

[JonInMiddleGA]

some people that had been long time friends did things behind his back to screw him.

FWIW, the ones behind my back didn't bother me nearly so much as the ones who looked me dead in the eye & lied their asses off.

That's the thing that, in all honesty, I've never really gotten over completely. When it was all over, there was one person in the town (outside of my own house) that I knew was honest.

Me: ... so I'd appreciate your vote & your support.
Her:I'm sure you're a nice fella & would do a good job but I can't vote for you.
Me: Why's that, if you don't mind me asking?
Her: You're running against my cousin.
Me: Fair enough.

[larrymcg421]

I'm pretty sure if you jumped into the Presidential race, you'd eventually get your turn as one of the not-Romney frontrunners.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm pretty sure if you jumped into the Presidential race, you'd eventually get your turn as one of the not-Romney frontrunners.

Eh, if neither Bachmann nor Santorum has managed it, I'd probably just end up as "field".

[JediKooter]

My dad is on the town board of a local township which is an elected non-partisan position. His first election was determined by a coin flip as there was a tie. He has run unopposed ever since.

Some people have encouraged him to go for a county supervisor position but he refuses as things get much more political at the county level than the township level. He is in a moderate township where liberals and conservatives both serve on the board and reach easy consensus. Doesn't happen at the county level and he wants nothing to do with that.

I know some around here think I may get involved with politics but it couldn't be further from my mind. I hate kissing people's asses and I've got so much dirt in my closet ranging from drug use to hiring illegal immigrants that I think I'll just leave well enough alone and stay on the farm :)

I'd vote for you. You actually sound honest.

[chesapeake]

If your skin isn't at least 3 inches thick, you're getting into the wrong business.

It can also be extremely hard on your family. People who don't know you and couldn't even spell your name will say things about you to your kids that will reduce them to tears. Just because you want to do the right thing for your community by running for office. Make sure your family is aware of the potential personal costs and fully buy into the decision.

[larrymcg421]

Eh, if neither Bachmann nor Santorum has managed it, I'd probably just end up as "field".

Bachmann actually did get a turn. She never led Romney in a national poll, but was 2nd to him back in early July and held a lead in Iowa up through early August.

[lungs]

I'd vote for you. You actually sound honest.

And that's why I'd never fit into the world of politics :)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Wait I thought you were an independent.

Seriously, my Dad ran for office a couple of times, and it ruined a lot of friendships. Dad wasn't one to go along to get ahead and some people that had been long time friends did things behind his back to screw him. It's why I'm very interested in politics and policy, but wouldn't go without 100 feet of running for an office.

Interesting you bring up the independent part. I could have run as such, but stood next to no chance of winning. Had to register as a Republican.

[tarcone]

. Good luck. You should do a dynasty on your campaign.

[Flasch186]

Just to add information, the offices carry no term limits. If you are elected to two terms in an office, you are immediately vested. You get a pension and health benefits after you leave office.

I assume one of your first orders of business will be to cut that. Cant have gubment supporting that kind of behavior right?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I assume one of your first orders of business will be to cut that. Cant have gubment supporting that kind of behavior right?

Not an office that could change that, nor do I think they should in this case. We're mostly talking about financial offices (auditor, treasurer, assessor, etc). If you have a qualified person in those kinds of offices for multiple terms, that consistency can be a good thing.

Our current problem is the qualifications to get those job. Right now, all you need in your background to run for any of those offices is a couple of college accounting classes. There are some candidates who fit that qualification that are woefully unprepared to run those offices. That includes two of the people that currently hold office. The good news is that there is a movement to change the requirement to be that you must have an accounting major or minor in your background. That's a much more reasonable standard given that we're talking about working with a $100M budget.

[lcjjdnh]

Not an office that could change that, nor do I think they should in this case. We're mostly talking about financial offices (auditor, treasurer, assessor, etc). If you have a qualified person in those kinds of offices for multiple terms, that consistency can be a good thing.

Our current problem is the qualifications to get those job. Right now, all you need in your background to run for any of those offices is a couple of college accounting classes. There are some candidates who fit that qualification that are woefully unprepared to run those offices. That includes two of the people that currently hold office. The good news is that there is a movement to change the requirement to be that you must have an accounting major or minor in your background. That's a much more reasonable standard given that we're talking about working with a $100M budget.

Is it common for these positions to be elected? Doesn't professional management make more sense?

[JediKooter]

And that's why I'd never fit into the world of politics :)

Which totally sucks.

This is one of the main reasons why I'm not really a fan of any party. It's also why I laugh when people complain about X president not keeping a campaign promise. It's simple: they're politicians, they lie.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It's simple: they're politicians, they lie.

Which, in turn, is simply giving people what they want. Few candidates fare worse than ones that tell the whole truth & nothing but.

[JediKooter]

Which, in turn, is simply giving people what they want. Few candidates fare worse than ones that tell the whole truth & nothing but.

I can't disagree with you at all on that. I get the feeling that most people on this board, don't fall into that category though. I could be totally wrong, but, the group on here, don't seem like the mindless drones that most of the voting public is.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I can't disagree with you at all on that. I get the feeling that most people on this board, don't fall into that category though. I could be totally wrong, but, the group on here, don't seem like the mindless drones that most of the voting public is.

That we're able to actually, you know, function online without help seems to put us above the midpoint of the curve.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Is it common for these positions to be elected? Doesn't professional management make more sense?

I believe it is. Most counties have better restrictions than our county which does help to put a more qualified person in that office. Hence, the reason our county officials are looking to increase the minimum standards for some of these offices.

[Flasch186]

Not an office that could change that, nor do I think they should in this case.

{shaking head} Hypocrisy knows no boundaries.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

{shaking head} Hypocrisy knows no boundaries.

The discussion where I supported term limits had to do with Congress. That's a whole different beast, both on the federal and state level, than a local office which requires good financial management and can sometimes be hard to fill due to lower pay standards. A county can suffer greatly with a lack of cohesion at that office level. I've seen how it's hurt our county recently and it needs to change, no matter who makes that change.

[kcchief19]

If McCaslin or Rinehart are going down, 2012 should be the year. Both have name recognition and have won elections despite both being nitwits. Frankly Sheila doesn't bother me, but the fact Norris won that office in 2010 is an indictment of how stupid the voters in our county are.

Who would be running your campaign? My best friend does some local campaign consulting and has run a few successful state house races and was chief of staff in a state senators office. He's at least somebody you should know for some PAC donations. :)

[MrBug708]

Craig James, is that you?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If McCaslin or Rinehart are going down, 2012 should be the year. Both have name recognition and have won elections despite both being nitwits. Frankly Sheila doesn't bother me, but the fact Norris won that office in 2010 is an indictment of how stupid the voters in our county are.

Would be shocked if either one holds on to their office in 2012.

[Senator]

yes

[sterlingice]

We need a dynasty thread if this happens!

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'll do regular updates. I've already told the powers that be that I'm going to run.