Do you think there has been a moment in which you were drawn to some type of public service to become a politician? Do you feel as though you want to go past arguing about issues through social media and get involved in developing solutions to problems in your community? You are certainly not the only one. There are many professionals who eventually come to a point when they want to use their skills in order to develop themselves as civic leaders.
Although my background is in executive recruitment and career strategy, and not in political campaigning, I have worked with several individuals who successfully moved from professional careers to public-facing positions. In order to become an elected official, the route is generally more of a methodical and strategic development of your credibility, relationships, and proven track record of service rather than one single big campaign.
This guide provides a realistic, step-by-step roadmap for someone contemplating this monumental career change.
Service Prior to Campaigning to Become a Politician
I have watched many public servants who are very effective start their journey prior to running for office by providing service to their community. The reason for your motivation should not be based on a title but on a demonstrated commitment to make improvements.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
What specific problem would you like to address? (e.g., local park safety, small business development, funding for after-school programs)
What professional skills are available to you that you may utilize? (e.g., a financial professional may focus on transparency regarding the town budget; a project manager may create better organization systems for town hall meetings)
Are you willing to accept the intense level of scrutiny from the public that will accompany a leadership position?
Phase 1: Establishing Your Credibility Locally (The “Why You?” Platform)
Before asking for votes, you need to establish a reputation in your community as a knowledgeable and dedicated advocate.
Understand the Issues Facing Your Community: Attend city council, school board, and planning commission meetings for at least 6 months. You need to be aware of the current challenges facing your community, the major stakeholders, and the budgetary constraints from an insider’s perspective.
Become Involved with a Board or Commission: Almost every town and city has multiple volunteer boards and commissions (e.g., planning commission, library board, parks & recreation). You should apply for a spot on one of the boards. By doing so, you will be able to gain experience and understand how the municipal government operates, while also establishing your commitment to your community.
Strategic Volunteering: Don’t just show up to help for a day. Get involved with a local non-profit or neighborhood association and take on a leadership role. Try to find a fundraiser, spearhead a project, and provide solid evidence of your achievement. This ensures that you develop a network of supporters who can speak positively to your character and performance capabilities.
Phase 2: Determine the Best First Step to Make (Begin Smaller, Dream Larger)
Running for U.S. Congress as your first step is unrealistic for nearly everybody. The most viable option to demonstrate your credibility is to begin with local offices.
Local Offices to Begin With:
School Board Member: Focuses on educational policy, budget decisions, and community values. School boards represent a high-impact role in which you can establish a record of achievements.
City Councilors/Town Trustees: You will be responsible for addressing the basic needs of your community, such as infrastructure, zoning, public safety, and local budgets. These stakeholders will give you a clear understanding of how your local government operates.
County Commissioner: An expansion of your scope of responsibilities, county commissioners oversee large budgets and regional services such as public health or transportation.
Strategist’s Tip: Research the duties of each role in your region using websites like Ballotpedia. Find out who currently represents those offices. Be sure to evaluate the amount of time required to fulfill each of the roles and the breadth of the work before deciding whether or not to pursue the position.
Phase 3: Assemble Your Kitchen Cabinet
You cannot run a campaign by yourself. To be successful in your campaign for office, you will need a team. From observing successful campaigns, here is the typical team structure you will need:
Campaign Manager: The organizational expert and logistics genius who will keep everything running smoothly.
Treasurer: A detailed person who you can depend upon to manage your finances and adhere to all election regulations.
Volunteer Coordinator: A people person who can recruit, schedule, and inspire your grassroots volunteers.
Advisory Team: A handful of trusted advisors whom you can depend upon for guidance and objective advice.
Phase 4: Share Your Vision (The Campaign)
At this stage, your professional skills in communicating and strategizing are at their highest value.
Define Your Message: Why are you running? What specific issue will you champion? Your message should be simple, consistent, and easy to repeat.
Be a Good Listener: The best strategy for a campaign is to walk door-to-door and engage in conversation with citizens. Ask them what matters most to them. This can enable you to create trust and find the real issues of your community.
Run on Your Track Record: Your professional experience is an asset, not a liability. A certified public accountant can run on fiscal responsibility. A teacher can run on education expertise. A small business owner can run on supporting the local economy. Explain how your professional career is proof that you can produce results.
The Realities of Public Office to Become a Politician
Entering this field is a serious decision, and it is critical to enter with your eyes open.
Public Scrutiny: Both your personal and professional lives will be under close examination.
Time Commitment: This is a tremendous commitment. The campaign and the position itself will require evenings and weekends.
Coping with Criticism: You will receive criticism and opposition. The ability to disagree professionally and maintain your goal-oriented approach is necessary.
A career in public service is perhaps one of the most difficult and fulfilling options you can elect to pursue. It is not about winning quickly; it is about committing to using your skills for the benefit of your community over time.
Your initial step is not filing paperwork. It is finding the next meeting of your local planning commission or school board and attending as an observer. Learn, listen, and then consider how you can contribute to your community. The rest will unfold naturally.
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