Maybe, I should run for Assmbly

Since I was a young child, I was always interested in politics. Both sides of my family were involved in local politics with both parties in my birth state of Ohio. Despite doing very well in my government classes I took at college while still in high school, I majored in biology instead. My parents told me to be practical. I could always run for political office no matter what I majored or what career path I took.
The part of Wisconsin where I live seems not to have a very active party. For most county offices, there was not a Democrat challenging the Republican incumbent. For Assenbly, there was a Democrat running for the first time in a while. Unfortunately, this candidate only captured around 25% of the vote. I only saw a few yard signs for this candidate, received no campaign literature, and saw only one ad the week before. My home area runs campaigns a bit differently and I would run that way too, be everywhere.
I have not formulated my positions yet. I guess that I want to run because this election has taught me that it is important that we all do our part to further our cause. There are so many people who have strong opinions that never do anything about it. There are so many people who are afraid to stand for what they believe. Since leaving college 4 years ago, I have struggled with anxiety as I have pondered my path and purpose in life and felt helpless to change the unjust world that I live in. This election has motivated me to stand for what I believe in and relize that the only way to feel empowered to change the world is to do something instead of worrying.
I am not really sure how go about preparing for my Assmbly run if I do go through with this pursuit. The little bit that I did for the Kerry campaign was through a different, more active, county headquarters. I am not going to publically come out with my name or district at this time although I will in PM. If any Duers have any advice, that would be helpful. Thanks.

I'm looking into possibilities as well ... if just getting involved in campaigns on the local level. I have a lot to learn, but I am determined. I wish I could offer advice, but I wish you the best.

...as a matter of general principle.

But as far as political options go, I'd have to know more. What district? How old are you and what do you do for a living? Tied into any local organizations (political or fraternal)?

Again, I always urge everyone to run, no matter what the political factors are (ie., 'common wisdom' probably told Tammy Baldwin she could never get elected to the Assembly, but she did).

If so, forget it...

Nevertheless, I may run for assembly in 2006. The fact that the repigs are running so many candidates unopposed without any debate on their radical agenda is part of the reason we aren't getting our message out in WI. I would have no chance in our district, but then agin neither did the blank line.

I don't think that the other stuff that might be remotely damning would come to light in an assembly race and I can explain all of it. I suppose that some of my posting on DU has been a little bit incriminating, but I'll try to lay off of posts like that and hope that they don't have a couple of posts in archive to use against me.
good luck Viking 12 in your potential candidacy. Campaign hard, it seems that many of the more local races seem to pretty low key in my area, which I think is pretty close to your area if I remember right.

Do like Bush did, and just profess to have found Jebus who has forgiven you for all your youthful indiscretions. Of course, you don't have to actually BELIEVE it, but just profess it.

Hell, if you're doing that, why not run as a republican, but just act like democrat? :)

Many of the Democratic pick-ups in the MN House were alumni of Camp Wellstone.

In case you didn't know Dems picked up 13 new seats this election changing the house from a major Rep majority to a virtual tie.

send a pm to DUer ewagner to ask him if he has advice (if he doesn't show up in this thread)

Contact someone like Sondy Pope-Roberts, who is our assemblyperson here in the 79th. She is wonderful, is a 'regular' person, and won our district by a huge margin.

Oh, and a third suggestion - if you haven't already, go to http://elections.state.wi.us/ and start downloading the heck out of the manuals and forms.

KEEP US POSTED!!! (is that suggestion #4?)

need to know some specifics and I'll be happy to give advice....

pm me if you'd like.

egw

It gives you a full year to raise money and locate competent campaign volunteers before you really need to start relying on either. Visit the Dem parties in your assembly district and talk to the chairs. The veteran pols in the local parties know where to concentrate your time and energies for the biggest bang. Ask for recommendations on who to ask for help with running your campaign, perhaps someone who's already run who can help you get your campaign set up and help you cope with the early paperwork.

Start networking and building momentum. Look for training opportunities. Camp Wellstone is a terrific idea. The DPW also should offer candidate training in Spring 2006. They'll teach you the nuts and bolts of running a campaign, working with press and filing the paperwork.

Dems are looking for something to rally around right now. This is a good time to let them know you are going to run. You will have so much help you may actually have to start turning people down.