Running for Office 101: Find a Role That Fits Your “Why”
7 min
Does this sound familiar?
You’re excited to run for office. You want to roll up your sleeves and serve your community as an elected official, but you’re not sure what political office to run for.
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. We hear that a lot from first-time candidates who want to step up and take action, but aren’t sure where their passion and talents will make the greatest difference.
It can feel hard to find the right office to run for, but it doesn't have to be.
We’ll walk you through key questions to clarify your political goals, research potential offices, and find the perfect fit for you.
It all begins with your why.
1. What’s Your Key Issue?
The strongest campaigns start on a personal level.
Many candidates’ key issues will stem from what they’ve seen firsthand in their own community. Maybe you’re a teacher who’s frustrated with your city’s increasing disinvestment in public education.
Or maybe you’re like NDTC learner Regina Lewis Ward, a lifelong volunteer with deep ties to her neighborhood. When Regina saw her community facing challenges like affordable housing shortages and underfunded public transit, she decided to run for office. Today, Regina Lewis Ward serves as a George State Representative for District 115.
Like Regina, thinking about the issues that fire you up will help you identify your motivations and identify what office to run for.
Ask yourself:
What issues keep you up at night?
What change would make your neighborhood better right now?
What challenges in your community can you see yourself leading on?
Reflecting on the key issues you want to work on or the leadership skills you bring to the table are great places to start getting involved in public service.
2. Do Your Research
After you’ve found your key issue, it’s time to start doing your research. Ask: what elected official is responsible for fixing this? Who makes the decisions that impact this issue?
That’s where you should start digging in.
To begin your search, try USA Gov’s “Find & Contact Elected Officials” tool that lets you enter your address and view your current elected officials. (*Note: this is not an exhaustive list. At NDTC, we recommend combining this tool with your own research to find all the public offices that represent you.)
As you research, consider what it would take to hold that office:
When is that position up for its next election?
Are you eligible to run for it?
Is it an open seat? Or will you face an incumbent?
Will you compete against another Democrat? Or are you the only Democrat in the race?
Some of these answers may be complicated, but that doesn’t mean you should close the door just yet.
Most importantly, we want you to make your decision with eyes wide open and equipped with the facts. (And maybe some gossip about who’s retiring, too.)
3. What Offices Can You Run For Locally?
Not every issue can be solved in Washington, and not every issue starts at the federal level. In fact, many of the issues you probably care most about are shaped by local government. New research tells us Americans have the most trust in local government to solve problems.
We’re talking about city councils. School boards. County Commissions. There’s likely a lot of work that you can do at the county or state level, too. Example: Has your city council passed an employment non-discrimination ordinance? Or has your school board adopted a policy affirming students’ rights to use restrooms and locker rooms?
If your core issue touches on decisions like these, a local position may be your most direct and impactful path to change. Maybe that’s the office to run for.
Try to imagine it in the practicalities of your day to day life. Think about how working in the state capitol for four months of the year could affect your job, your family, and your relationships.
As U.S. Senator Dick Durbin once said,
““For some people, it’s the right thing to do because you can do it part-time, run locally for school board, city council … and still keep your business going, keep your obligations to your family secure.”
4. Start with Your “Why” & Keep On Going
Running for office is an incredible and rewarding undertaking. If done right, you’ll meet hundreds of amazing people in your community. You’ll hear about their concerns and figure out how to solve them. You’ll build a team of volunteers who work their butts off because they believe in your vision.
But let’s be real: This is hard work.
You’ll walk hundreds of miles around neighborhoods in your community. You’ll call thousands of voters asking for their time, money, and support. And some days you’ll learn to hear “no” five times in a row.
Staying centered on your why and what you hope to accomplish will push you through the difficult moments. It will help you get through those late nights and 5 AM mornings. Most of all, it will make you a stronger candidate who leads with passion and resolve.
5. Ready to Dive Deeper?
Choosing what office to run for is no small decision. If you’d like to dive deeper and get guidance from experienced campaign officials, we’ve got you covered.
So You Think You Want to Run: Our most popular course. It’s designed to help first-time candidates explore their motivations for running for office.
Live Training Events: Join NDTC’s trainers and other prospective candidates to get your questions answered in real-time.
Getting Your Campaign Off the Ground: Already decided what office to run for? Great. You’re ready for the next step. This is your guide to building a campaign plan, assembling a team, and getting voter-ready.
Whether you’re considering a run for school board or a seat in Congress, NDTC is here to help you win.
Are you ready to make change happen?
