Before You Decide to Run

Running for office is a big deal. It will take time, energy, and money — and it will pull you into situations you can’t fully imagine yet. Before you commit, walk through these steps.

Commitment Check

• Time: Campaigns can feel like a second full-time job. Be realistic about your calendar.
• Stress: Public scrutiny is real. People will have opinions about you, some fair and some not.
• Financial Impact: You may need to take time away from paid work or cover campaign costs yourself.
• The “Lose Test”: If you knew you’d lose, would you still run? Maybe because you want to meet your neighbors, raise awareness about an issue, or start a conversation in your community.

Legal + Job Conflicts

• Make sure you meet residency and age requirements for the office.
• Check if your current job creates a conflict. For example, if you work at an organization that receives state funding, you may be barred from holding certain state roles.

Personal “Why”

• Write down your reason for running in one clear sentence.
• Practice saying it until it feels natural, not rehearsed. You’ll use it hundreds of times.