If you’re convicted enough to research that question and its consequences, then yes, you should consider running for local office. You obviously care enough about your community to run, but are self-aware enough to research what you need to know.
However, the candidates who win aren’t the ones with the most passion or conviction. They’re the ones with a plan. They’re the ones who did the hard, unglamorous self-assessment before they filed, while it was still cheap to walk away.
Before you sign anything, you should sit with the questions below and think through the consequences. If some of the sections and answers feel obvious, then good. That means you’re ready to make your final decision. If other sections make you feel uncomfortable, then you should work them out.
How should I start my campaign for local office?
You should start your campaign by drilling down on why you want to run. Voters empathize with why, so figure out your why and tell your story.
There’s a real difference between wanting to fix something and wanting to be heard. Both are human, but only one wins races and governs well. Ask yourself what you’re actually after.
What is my first strategic move in starting my campaign?
Your first strategic move is matching your motivation to the right level of office. Is there a specific issue or set of issues driving you? And if so, where in your local government can you make the most difference?
If you’re fighting for your kids’ education, then you should aim for the school board or local town council. You shouldn’t aim for a congressional seat if that’s above your goals.
How will running for local office affect my family?
Running for local office will affect your family’s routines, privacy, and relationships. Politics is a full-contact sport, and your decisions will create far-reaching ripple effects for your family and friends.
How will running affect my family’s schedule and routines?
Running for local office will make you less available to your family. It will make your family schedule more crowded and less predictable, but planning and honest communication can help your family adapt (opens in a new tab).
Campaigns, even local ones, are a big commitment. They demand long hours, irregular schedules, and running around between lots of events. But this should not discourage you from running.
Plenty of busy parents have successfully run for office, often thanks to the support of their families. Some parents schedule their campaign events around their kids’ schedule. (opens in a new tab) Others rely more on their spouse to create a new normal. Understand that your family time will change, but you can create new routines that support everyone.
Our best recommendation is to talk openly and honestly with your family. If you have kids, they need to understand your time commitment in concrete terms, before you file. If you have a spouse, talk with them and develop a plan to balance your shared responsibilities.
How public will my personal life be if I run for office?
Unfortunately, the day you file to run is the day your beliefs stop being private. Analyses show that “increased public scrutiny” is one of the biggest lifestyle changes candidates face. (opens in a new tab) Your community will know and discuss your background, family, job, and past actions.
The people in your life will see them, react to them, and in some cases hold them against you. People who supported you as a person may not support you as a candidate for a side they oppose. That distinction can feel personal because, well, it is. That’s why running for office takes a lot of conviction and passion.
None of this public scrutiny should stop you from running if you believe in your “why.” We’re being upfront with this downside so you can walk in with your eyes open, rather than being blindsided. The candidates who succeed are the ones who make peace with increased public scrutiny early.
How will running for local office affect my career?
Running for local office can have diverse effects on one’s career, from gaining name recognition to earning valuable leadership experience. However, running for local office is a huge time commitment, comparable to having a second part-time job. So before you file, make sure you can spend the time campaigning while still fulfilling your duties at work.
Do I need a law or political science degree to run for school board or city council?
No, you don’t need a law or political science degree to run for local office. Your own personal and professional experience is all you need, if you use it wisely.
Your background isn’t a prerequisite. Not having the “right” résumé disqualifies you from nothing.
- If you grew up in this town, then you have decades of personal connections. You’ve seen how your community has changed. You were there when a crisis pulled people together, or when an issue drove a wedge between them.
- If you moved to this area, then you chose this town. You felt something special here and you want to nurture that.
- If you have kids, then you have skin in the game for the school board.
You get the idea. Take a look at your background, work history, and personal experiences. And stitch them together into a story with your “why” being the central thread.
Of course, not all of your experiences will be as relevant as others. Military service reads differently in a race centered on defense than it does in a local zoning fight. Know your strengths so you’ll know where you have to work harder to earn credibility.
Will running for local office hurt my career or professional reputation?
Running for local office will most likely not hurt your career. It will change how people see you, but based on a survey of over 700 local candidates (opens in a new tab), running can positively affect you.
Most local candidates worry about the impact running will have on their work. Like we said before, running might change how people view you. And you might be subjected to increased public scrutiny. But that same survey notes that most candidates experience positive changes once they run, such as enhanced community ties, more leadership experience, and increased name recognition.
What happens if I lose? Will that affect how people see me at work?
If you lose, people will most likely see you as someone who stepped up and tried to serve your community. Most former candidates reported a positive or neutral change in their reputation rather than a negative one. (opens in a new tab)
No one likes to lose. But at least you tried! You put in the time, effort, and passion to make a change. And that says a lot more about you than whether you won or lost.
If your campaign becomes very partisan or unusually hostile towards your opponent, then your colleagues might want to distance themselves. As long as you conduct your campaign respectfully and keep up with your work responsibilities, there’ll be no hard feelings.
How much does it cost to run for local office?
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: you’re going to spend a lot of time asking other people for money. Fundraising is not a phase of your campaign, it is the campaign’s fuel. A candidate who won’t dial for dollars starves their whole operation.
What if I self-finance my local campaign?
Self-financing can help you jumpstart your campaign, but you shouldn’t rely completely on it. Running for local office can completely drain your savings.
Secondly, depending on the office, your personal financial disclosures will be public and picked over by your opponent. So no matter to which degree you self-finance, file the paperwork carefully. Sloppy paperwork becomes an opponent’s talking point.
How much money do I need to run a local campaign?
It takes at least a few thousand dollars to run a local campaign. A small-town local race might require $3,000 to $10,000, while a competitive city council or county race might need more than a million dollars. However, these are rough estimates.
Your campaign may vary depending on the size of your municipality and the competitiveness of the race, and that range is genuinely as wide as it sounds. A rural school board seat and a council seat in a major metro are different undertakings, and the largest city races run well into seven figures. Research what past races for your seat have actually cost, and budget against those numbers rather than against an average.
How much time does it take to run for local office?
For most first-time local candidates, you should expect to spend at least 10 to 20 hours a week on your campaign. We recommend aiming for 20 to 30+ hours a week, especially near the final months.
Every office demands a different slice of your life. (opens in a new tab) And for first-time candidates that demand is always heavier than you expect. Most people picture themselves shaking hands and waving at crowds. But what they miss is the constituent engagement: the community events, the meetings, the appearances that pile up on nights, weekends, and holidays.
Running for local office takes a lot of your time away from your family, your work, and your own peace. Count it honestly before you commit. A candidate who’s surprised by the schedule burns out by summer.
Can I run for local office while working full-time?
Yes, many people successfully run for local office while working a full-time job. However, you should treat your campaign like a second part-time job and be realistic with your time management. (opens in a new tab)
Running for a local office while working full-time depends on your industry. Those in healthcare often have to work 60 to 80 hours a week, so doctors who want to run often have to put their practice on hold.
In other professions, running for office can be an asset, win or lose. Anyone in sales or a leadership position can benefit from the public speaking experience and local connections.
How far in advance should I start preparing before election day?
You should start preparing your campaign 9 to 12 months before Election Day. That will help you run a focused, organized campaign instead of a ramshackle scramble toward the finish line. (opens in a new tab)
We can break down those 12 months into well-structured phases:
- Pre-announcement (months 1-3): This is the time to gather your people: your friends, family, and mentors. Let them know your intentions and prepare them for the months ahead. Get all your ducks in a row, from messaging to financing. Pre-announcement is for everything you need to do before you file.
- Announcement (months 4-6): This is where strong candidates already have messaging, a basic campaign plan, and a core group of supporters. Gradually build your support, fundraising mechanisms, and infrastructure (website, email, social media, and so on).
- Campaigning (months 7-9): This is for knocking on doors, talking directly with voters, fundraising, holding forums, and hosting events. This is the heart of your campaign.
- Final stretch (months 10-12): This is where everything ramps up! You’re putting in a lot more time and effort to finish the race strong.
Can I win my local race?
Before you file, look hard at whether the seat is winnable for someone like you. Pull the electoral history. Study turnout data and demographic trends. Look at what recent campaigns raised and spent, and size up who else is likely to run.
At this phase it’s easy to get intimidated and talk yourself out of the race. But this research is about understanding the playing field. Pick a fight you have a real shot at winning.
What’s the first step in figuring out whether I can win?
The first step is to research yourself and your opponent. Your opponent is going to order background checks and research on you. So research yourself first and figure out your vulnerabilities.
Be fully transparent with your team about anything that could become an issue. A campaign can manage almost any problem, if it sees that problem coming. But campaigns can’t survive surprises. Assume that everything in your past will surface, but by doing this research early, you can ensure it comes out on your terms.
Then turn the same eye on the other side. You don’t need full opposition research this early, but do some cursory homework on whoever you’re likely to face. Look at their voting record, public statements, fundraising history, and how they’ve handled tough moments before.
You’re looking for two things: where they’re weak, and where they’re strong enough that you’ll need an answer. If you can’t find a single reason a voter would choose you over them, that’s worth knowing now. If you find several, that’s the beginning of your case.
What are the next steps in running for local office?
If you’ve read all of that and you’re still in, then you’re already ahead of most first-time candidates! Now you have to turn your decision into a real plan. You have to figure out the paperwork, the platform, the budget, and the field program that actually moves votes.
More from FullPAC: all posts and the partner guides.