Running For Local Office For Dummies

Get ready to run for--and win--that local election!

In the land of opportunity, just about anyone who qualifies as an elector can seek public office. Some do it on a whim, some are urged to run, and some want to use their time and talents to make a difference in their local community.

If you want to know how to prepare for a run, which steps to take beforehand, and how the process goes from announcement to campaigning to election day to the swearing-in ceremony--this book has you covered.

• Find out what it's like to run for local office as a first-time candidate

• Explore the introspection required and the study necessary to make such a run effective

• Deal with marketing, fundraising, interacting with the public, and dealing with opponents

• Encourage and help others to make a run for local office

Though only one person ultimately wins a seat, nobody does it without a wide network of support. Running For Local Office For Dummies is your ticket to navigating every step on the road to winning that election.

Klappentext

• Make a difference in your community
• Get help with marketing and fundraising

• Run an effective campaign
  Win that local election! In the land of opportunity, just about anyone who qualifies as an elector can seek public office. Some do it on a whim, some are urged to run, and some want to use their time and talents to make a difference in their local community. If you want to know how to prepare for a run, which steps to take beforehand, and how the process goes from announcement to campaigning to election day to the swearing-in ceremonythis book has you covered. Inside...

• Find out what it's like to run
• Explore the introspection required and the study necessary
• Deal with marketing, fundraising, interacting with the public, and dealing with opponents
• Encourage and help others to make a run for local office

Zusammenfassung
Get ready to run forand winthat local election!

In the land of opportunity, just about anyone who qualifies as an elector can seek public office. Some do it on a whim, some are urged to run, and some want to use their time and talents to make a difference in their local community.

If you want to know how to prepare for a run, which steps to take beforehand, and how the process goes from announcement to campaigning to election day to the swearing-in ceremonythis book has you covered.

• Find out what it's like to run for local office as a first-time candidate
• Explore the introspection required and the study necessary to make such a run effective
• Deal with marketing, fundraising, interacting with the public, and dealing with opponents
• Encourage and help others to make a run for local office
  Though only one person ultimately wins a seat, nobody does it without a wide network of support. Running For Local Office For Dummies is your ticket to navigating every step on the road to winning that election.

Inhalt

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 3

Beyond the Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: Hail, Future Caesar 5

Chapter 1: Who Runs for Public Office 7

To Be a Politician 7

Avoiding public office altogether 8

Understanding who wins elections 9

Having thick skin 9

Resisting conformity 10

The Ideal Candidate 11

The Political Type 13

Understanding why people run for office 13

Becoming one of them 14

Accept the Results 15

Chapter 2: Local Office Choices 17

Political Hierarchy 17

Local Office Options 19

Exploring political divisions 19

Selecting a seat 20

Knowing your taxing districts 21

Choose an Office 22

Letting the office find you 22

Making a good fit 22

Partisan Effects 23

Running along party lines 23

Avoiding partisan politics 24

Chapter 3: Other Ways to Get Involved 25

Boost Your Public Résumé 25

Building your reputation 26

Becoming a community leader 26

The Activist and the Gadfly 27

Underestimating the gadfly 27

Becoming an activist 28

Joining a party 29

Stay Behind the Curtain 30

Knowing the power players 30

Becoming an influential person 30

Part 2: Before You Run 33

Chapter 4: Know Yourself 35

Some Vital Questions 35

Asking family and friends 36

Knowing your public exposure 36

Discovering your abilities 37

Reaching your goal 38

Explore Your Past 39

Remembering what you've done 39

Dealing with potential issues 41

Sell Yourself 42

Believing you can do it 42

Acting the part 43

Dressing the part 44

To Become a Public Person 45

Being available 45

Making new friends and contacts 46

Cutting short a boring conversation 47

Chapter 5: Research the Position 49

The Obligations of Holding Office 49

Knowing the basic requirements 50

Exploring other responsibilities 51

Fit the Job into Your Schedule 52

Study the Issues 52

The Players 53

Recognizing the cast and crew 54

Making the rounds 55

Identifying other people to know 55

Chapter 6: Consider Your Competition 57

Meet Your Opposition 57

Finding possible opponents 58

Building a list of potential candidates 58

Doing a SWOT analysis 59

The Street Fight 60

Having too many opponents 60

Categorizing your opposition 61

Dropping out 62

The Formidable Foe (an Incumbent) 62

Studying the incumbent's record 63

Reviewing the organization's unpopular decisions 63

Experiencing the perfect political storm 63

The Agony of Running Unopposed 64

Slates 64

Understanding a slate 65

Being slated against your will 65

Chapter 7: Know the Voters 67

Behold: Voter Data! 67

Running the local election 68

Gathering election data 68

Preparing your lists 70

Purging the lists 72

Obtaining ongoing voter data 73

The Fickle Electorate 73

Accepting the truth about voters 74

Dealing with unholy partisanship 75

Becoming the preferred type of elected official 75 **Ch...