Candidacy- or Why You Should Run for Office

It’s no secret that we at American Majority are looking for leaders.  Throughout the nation and within each state, city, county and school board, American Majority staff and trainees are daily looking for new ways to advocate for liberty.  For some people, that means registering for vote for the first time.  For others, it involves starting a local group or blogging about the issues in their community.

For a brave few, that means running for office.  As I travel and meet with engaged citizens across the nation, I’ve noticed that more and more people are stepping up to run.  On the local level, I’ve been encouraged by the number of individuals stepping up to run for school board, city council or county commission.  Often these lower level positions are ignored or disregarded- yet their importance can’t be overstated.  School districts, on average, spend 70 percent of the local property tax revenue.  Many currently-elected members of Congress got their start in politics on the local level.  Cities and counties regulate everything from the local tax burden to water use, to which roads get maintenance.  Even your state legislatures control the tax burden upon the state, the amount of regulation upon the free market, how limited government is or how much it encroaches upon your individual liberty.

Ronald Reagan once said that all change begins at the dinner table.  And so all change begins at the local level.  One thing I have also seen is that as more people get engaged in politics, some of them try to run straight for congressional or statewide positions.  Often, this can be a mistake.  I encourage individuals who care about the principles of limited government, individual freedom and free markets to look around their own community first.  There are many ways to get involved, often immediately, and to have a greater impact upon your community than you would imagine.

So I would ask this: you find someone in your local community to support, this year- and if you can’t find someone you support, perhaps it’s time for you to file.  If running for office just isn’t for you, ask your neighbor, your Sunday School teacher, the head of your local business group to run.  The grassroots’ greatest strength lies in choosing the individuals who represent us and then holding them accountable once elected.

There’s no better time to start than now.  If you’re interested in running for office, or you know someone who is, fill out this form.  We’ll be in touch about equipping you with the training necessary to run a successful campaign so that you can take a stand for freedom.