• Home
  • About
    • Leadership
  • Our Mission
    • Join Now
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Media
    • Do Not Contact List
  • Donate
American Veterans Honor FundAmerican Veterans Honor Fund
  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
  • Our Mission
    • Join Now
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Media
    • Do Not Contact List
  • Donate

Hey Veteran, Are You a Good Fit to Run for Office?

good fit to run for office - American Veterans Honor Fund

Hey Veteran, Are You a Good Fit to Run for Office?

June 4, 2020 Candidates Guide to Running for Office

Every political candidate must start his or her journey somewhere. If you ask them, many will tell you that they were intimidated, overwhelmed, or otherwise questioned their aptitude for such an undertaking with so much responsibility. But they pushed through, and many have risen to take some of the highest elected seats the world has to offer. 

If you are a veteran considering running for office but are unsure where to begin, a good place to start is by asking yourself: are you a good fit for a political campaign?

What do we mean by this, exactly? The reality is, not every person is cut out to be an elected or public official. There is much at stake at even the lowest ranking echelon of politics, and the stress and public spotlight can be a lot for a person to handle. Many candidates will drop out or end their tenure earlier than anticipated once they get a real experience of what life on the campaign trail — and in office — is like. 

good fit to run for office - American Veterans Honor Fund

But the idea of being “fit” for running for office expands beyond just a person’s suitability for the job. You must have the ability to do some introspection here, to observe the things about yourself that make you a good fit — and taking note of the things that may hold you back from a successful run.

Here are a few other considerations to factor in when deciding if you are a veteran fit for running for office.

Veterans running for office: What are your values?

We published a Values Guide to Running for Office last year, and there are many useful concepts to consider here. An elected official is doing a public service, at the end of the day. Therefore, politics should not be used for personal gain. This is a hard pill for some with large egos to swallow, and it’s best to get on the right terms with yourself when it comes to figuring out what it is you are wanting out of a career in politics.

How savvy are you to run and lead a campaign?

Sure, many candidates have campaign managers and a staff of volunteers and employees to help run the show. But this is most certainly not the usual case at smaller levels of government. So what skills do you bring to the table? How capable are you of being the face of your campaign, and of running the nuts and bolts if you’re thin on helping hands?

If you find you’re lacking in some of these skills, don’t let this deter you. Rather, allow it to motivate you to improve in those areas so as to give yourself the best chance at political traction.

Do you have the support system needed on the campaign trail?

Taking on a campaign at any level is a massive ask for anyone, and it’s important to have people you can rely on along the way. This is something you should have in place before the ball gets rolling. Many candidates call upon family and friends to help support their efforts; further down the road, a strong staff of volunteers, mentors, or trusted advisors can do a world of good for a stressed out candidate. 

Taking these considerations into account are important as you build on your idea to run for office. The more preparation you take the time to do ahead of time, the better you’ll feel about your chances at success, and the more you’ll be able to focus on the task at home: changing the world for the better.

Veterans Running for Office - American Veterans Honor Fund

You also might be interested in

American Veterans Honor Fund - Press Release

American Veterans Honor Fund Creates Candidate Portal for Veterans Running for Office

Aug 6, 2020

Alexandria, VA – Political grassroots organization American Veterans Honor Fund[...]

American Veterans Honor Fund - Press Release

American Veterans Honor Fund’s Get Out the Vote Campaign Engaged Over 30,000 Voters Ahead of Important North Carolina Elections

Dec 18, 2020

Raleigh, NC. – Grassroots political organization American Veterans Honor Fund,[...]

Absentee Ballot - American Veterans Honor Fund

Voting by Mail? You Must Request Your Absentee Ballot!

Oct 8, 2020

The most historic election in modern United States History is[...]

Our Latest Posts
 

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

American Veterans Honor Fund

3 days ago

American Veterans Honor Fund

More Female Veterans Are Running for Office Than Ever! Here's a Look at How They Did

www.americanveteranshonorfund.com/more-female-veterans-are-running-for-office-than-ever-heres-a-l...
...

More Female Veterans Are Running for Office Than Ever! Heres a Look at How They Did

https://www.americanveteranshonorfund.com/more-female-veterans-are-running-for-office-than-ever-heres-a-look-at-how-they-did/
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

American Veterans Honor Fund

6 days ago

American Veterans Honor Fund

After serving in the Air Force for more than two decades, a Frederick County veteran is now harnessing his energy and focus into helping fellow veterans — Black veterans, especially — transition back into civilian life. ...

Link thumbnail

Black Air Force veteran from Maryland helps others who served readjust to civilian life

After serving in the Air Force for more than two decades, a Frederick County veteran is now harnessing his energy and focus into helping fellow veterans — Black veterans, especially — transition back into civilian life.
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

American Veterans Honor Fund

1 week ago

American Veterans Honor Fund

But despite the declining numbers of Veterans serving in Congress, there may be a silver lining. Here's more: www.americanveteranshonorfund.com/veterans-in-congress-reaches-another-low/ ...

Link thumbnail

Veterans in Congress Reaches Another Low

The number of Veterans serving in Congress beginning in 2021 is even lower.
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

American Veterans Honor Fund

2 weeks ago

American Veterans Honor Fund

The number of Veterans elected to serve in the 117th Congress of the United States beginning in 2021 represents a shrinking contingent of elected Veterans in our legislature. Here is a breakdown of the 91 Veterans serving in both the House and Senate in the 117th Congress

www.americanveteranshonorfund.com/veterans-in-congress-reaches-another-low/
...

The number of Veterans elected to serve in the 117th Congress of the United States beginning in 2021 represents a shrinking contingent of elected Veterans in our legislature. Here is a breakdown of the 91 Veterans serving in both the House and Senate in the 117th Congress

https://www.americanveteranshonorfund.com/veterans-in-congress-reaches-another-low/
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

American Veterans Honor Fund

3 weeks ago

American Veterans Honor Fund

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is taking on right-wing extremism in the military, ordering all commanding officers and supervisors to issue a one-day stand-down order, to address extremism in the ranks. ...

Link thumbnail

Secretary of defense issues ‘stand-down’ order to address extremism in the military

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is taking on right-wing extremism in the military, ordering all commanding officers and supervisors to issue a one-day stand-down order, to address extremism in the ranks.
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

Extremism in the left

Another left wing libtard

View more comments

Load more

Contact Us

Office:
5680 King Centre Drive, Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22315

Donation Processing Center:
PO Box 66260
Washington, DC 20035

Email:
info@americanveteranshonorfund.com

Phone: (866) 317-9465
Local: (703) 854-9512

Location

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Contributions to the American Veterans Honor Fund are not tax deductible. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Paid for by American Veterans Honor Fund © 2021 - All Rights Reserved | Privacy & Refund Policy