How To Run For Local Office: 10 Steps To Run a Successful Campaign For Local Office

By HowExpert

About the Expert:
Michael Cole has been actively engaged in the local political arena both in the foreground and behind the scenes in South East Texas for over twenty years. Familiar with all level of running for government from local elections to state and federal elections, Mr. Cole has been a candidate for office 4 times and helped over 100 local candidates run for and win their elections. Born to a military family at Fort Lewis Army base, politics has been a passion of Mr. Cole since an early age. Mr. Cole first ran for office in 1994 and has been at it since. Holding various local positions, he brings his expertise and passion to every campaign he signs on to.

Book Description:
In the book "How To Run For Local Office", you will learn insider tricks from twenty plus year political veteran, Michael Cole. He brings to you step by step instructions on how to look with a critical eye of the expert in planning, launching and executing a successful bid for local office.

As Michael says in his book, elected office is for everyone that has a passion for public service, the secrets on how to run should not be hidden away for a few insiders, but for anyone with the drive and determination to do it.
Patriots can learn what it takes so lead, just like any other task.

In this book Michael touches on:
- How to decide if running is right for you
- A rundown of legal issues
- Were to raise your money
- How to effectively spend that money
- How to organize an effective social media campaign
- How to best use volunteers
- How to put out your message
- And much more!

This is the time for concerned citizens to step forward and take control of their local governments. Our nation is failing because as ordinary citizens we are either not involved, or do not know how to be involved. Winning Against All Odds will give you that know-how on being involved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HowExpert
• Release date: Sep 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370406555

HowExpert

HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.

Book preview

How To Run For Local Office

10 Steps To Run a Successful Campaign For Local Office

HowExpert Press & Michael Cole

Copyright HowExpert.com

Smashwords Edition

~~

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

~~

Legal Disclaimer

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

~~

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement

Chapter 1: Opening Moves

Chapter 2: The Decision To Run

Chapter 3: First Steps

Chapter 4: The Message

Chapter 5: Media

Chapter 6: Events

Chapter 7: Campaign Materials

Chapter 8: The Struggle

Chapter 9: Campaign Plan

Chapter 10: The End Of The Run

Appendix

About The Expert

Recommended Resources

~~

Acknowledgement

A campaign for office is never a single job. Every campaign, whether a success or failure is a team effort. I cannot begin to thank all that have guided me through the years. I thank you all. But, I do want to thank Congressman Nick Lampson for all his guidance and friendship.

Return to top

~~

Chapter 1 Opening Moves

Citizenship in the 21st century requires more than paying your taxes and voting and occasionally running for office. That even if you’re never in political office, you have political responsibilities. You can make your society stronger and better.

Bill Clinton

Running for office is never an easy task. Even for the skilled hand, you will face a hard road ahead. For the novice, it may seem an overwhelming task. However, do not give up, running for office can be an achievable goal.

If you know how.

This book will help you meet your goal. I am going to provide you with pointers on navigating the hurdles of running for office. I am going to share with you the knowledge of planning a successful run for public office.

One disclaimer: this book is meant for a run at local office. Running for state or federal office is similar, but each have their own unique circumstances that are different from one running for their local office, and serving under their City Council or School Board, for example.

Also, this book is geared towards non-partisan races. If the seat you are seeking requires the nomination of a political party, which is a possibility in some larger cities, this might not be the how-to guide for you. However, you could possibly glean some useful tips and advice from this guide!

Before we start, let me tell you a little about myself. I have been a political junkie all my life. I volunteered for Congressman Charlie Wilson’s re-election campaigns while in high school.

In 1994, while a Senior at West Orange-Stark High School, I ran for my first elected position. Running for a spot on the school board seat gave me my first taste of the candidate role. I came in 5th in a close five-candidate race, with only 210 votes separating me from the winner. Not bad for a high school senior, with a $26 budget and no clue how to run a race with myself as the candidate!

I then switched to the Republican Party for the 1996 race and volunteered for the Republican challenging for the now open seat, due to Wilson’s decision to step down. An interesting thing about this election was that the Republican candidate I worked for would be the Republican I ran against in the 2014 Congressional race. He lost and that ended my involvement in Congressional races for over a decade.

A new century saw my attitudes change. I switched to the Libertarian party, but found a new focus on local elections. Between 1998 and 2012, I participated and helped over 100 local candidates. Looking back, I believe about 60% of them won their elections.

In 2012, redistricting in Texas saw my home town in a new Congressional district. The Republican front runner was a candidate that had served before but was defeated after being exposed in several white supremacy and anti-government groups. The Democrat was not much better.

So, I decided to file as a Libertarian for office. I learned a very important lesson from this: Do not run for a third party if you want to win an election. The voters and the donors do not take you seriously. As expected, I came in third, taking about 3 percent of the vote. Not bad, fora year that was highly charged with the national politics of the Presidential election. The Republican won on a straight party line vote, doubling me and the Democrat’s combined votes.

I decided at first after that race that running again for office would not be smart. However, the best laid plans of mice and men saw