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Key Steps In Running For A Public Office
Senator Fred Riser advises a public office contender to get involved at any level that is comfortable for him or her. He also suggests:
- · 1. Find an issue that interests you and start providing leadership
- · 2. Discover and build on your own unique blend of strengths
- · 3. Knowledge is power. Take time to learn about the American political system. Also learn how to research candidates
- · 4. Do your homework and research officials before you approach them. Make your initial contact through a personal letter
- · 5. There is strength in numbers. Get your community organized
- · 6. Organization is key to success: organize files on candidates and issues
- · 7. Put yourself in the position of the legislators. Ask yourself: “what will influence me?”
- · 8. Start forming coalitions. When the labor and management get on the same side, it is a very powerful coalition. Learn from how wealth and medical groups have formed coalitions with environmentalist groups to get anti-tobacco legislation passed
- · 9. Learn how to deal with the government. Even working in a charity you learn how to deal with government
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, Scott McCullum believes that money is important in politics but it is not the only thing that’s important. People play an important role. The test of leadership is to get people involved. “Three terms ago, I became the Lt. Governor because I was able to get a lot of people involved.” According to him other key steps in running for public office are:
1. Learn about issues, particularly the local issues
2. An active, educated and organized minority can get a disproportionate amount of power in our system
3. For Muslim Americans, family values can serve as bridge with the population at large
4. Elected officials pay attention to groups in proportion to their level of organization, support, value and interest compatibility and personal friendship
Congressman Underheim says you want to run, he said, you must find out who are your friends and who are your opponents. Having done that:
- · 1. Focus more time on those who are undecided
- · 2. Start your campaign early. Start working at least a year before the elections
- · 3. Identify issues that will help you apply and publicize your skills and strengths
- · 4. Develop a mission statement that precisely conveys your message to your audience. It should be less than a hundred words
- · 5. Don’t be discouraged by initial difficulties and failures. Be prepared to run at least twice before you make it.
- · 6. Build a team of friends and volunteers
- · 7. Learn to raise funds.
Source: American Muslim Alliance
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