Rules for Running for Troy City Council

Image via Troy Patch

The deadline to file as a candidate for Troy City Council is August 13, 2013 at 4:00 pm. Three City Council seats are up for election this year. City Councilmember Maureen McGinnis has already announced that she won't run for re-election. Now the question is whether Councilmembers Wade Fleming and Ed Pennington will run for re-election.

As a former Troy City Councilmember, I've usually been asked by prospective candidates for my input on their campaign for the same office. This year is the first time I have not been asked for input. If, in the next few days I'm asked for input by prospective candidates, I'll suggest some rules for running for Troy City Council. These rules are based upon the article 73 Rules For Running For President As A Republican. But, they can apply just as well to running for local office.

OK. Here it goes:

• Ask yourself what you’re willing to sacrifice or compromise on to win. If there’s nothing important you’d sacrifice, don’t run; you will lose. If there’s nothing important you wouldn’t, don’t run; you deserve to lose.
• Don’t be surprised when people who liked you before you run don’t like you anymore. Prepare for it.
• Be sure before you run that your family is on board with you running. They need to be completely committed.
• Realize that your record, and all the favors you’ve done, will mean nothing if your opponents are willing to out spend you and out work you.
• Never assume the voters are stupid or foolish, but also don’t assume they are well-informed. Talk to them the way you’d explain something to your boss for the first time.
• Never, ever, ever take anything for granted. People lose elections because they were complacent.
• Always thank your friends when they back you up. Gratitude is currency.
• Never whine about negative campaigning. If it’s false, fight back; if not, just keep telling your own story. Candidates who are complaining about negative campaigning smell like losing.
• If you don’t have a position on an issue, say that you’re still studying the issue. Nobody needs an opinion on everything at the drop of a hat, and you’ll get in less trouble.
• Voters may be motivated by hope, fear, resentment, greed, altruism or any number of other emotions, but they want to believe they are voting for something, not against someone.
• Handwrite the parts of your platform you want voters to remember on a 3×5 index card. If it doesn’t fit, your message is too complicated.