Running for Stete Senate

[AirborneR1Champ]

What would one have to to to become a senator for my home state. I am thinking about running for office when I get out of the military. Can anybody help me.

[Drifter]

Step 1: Get a proof reader for all of your written anouncements...

Sorry, couldn't help it...

[Drifter]

I can put you in touch with my baby sister's boyfriend if you're serious. He's a Missouri state senator. And a douchebag. Let me know -

[cebu66]

money and lots of it.

[AirborneR1Champ]

PM me, I am serious but I still have 9 yrs left in the Army. I have been "Fast Tracking" in the military and should be a Nominative CSM before I get out. My CSM tells me he is grooming to be the future SMA :Sergeant Major of the Army. LOL I am very interrested.

[hybrid]

perhaps you should have the army pay for you to take some political science classes?

Might help you in your new mission

[BusaDave]

I'm thinking it may help if you can articulate WHY you want to do this. I'm a bit skeptical of "fast trackers" and their motivation for doing anything.

Beyond that, it would probably be good to start networking with the political party of your choice in the locale you plan to return to, and anyone you currently know that is active in public office (mayors, town board, county officials, school board, etc.) Sadly, especially for a Senate seat rather than Representative, you are also going to need financial and policial clout behind you.

Name recognition is key. It is impossible for eveyone in the state to know you, but you need for as many of them as possible to FEEL that they know you and that they can trust you to look out for their interests. Mostly, when someone mentions your name people need to recognize the name. Even better if they have personally met you and shaken hands. You are likely going to have to travel the state extensively. At a minimum I think you would want a well-designed campaign booth at the state fair and if possible be there every possible minute to personally greet people and answer questions. Hitting as many county fairs as possible is also a very good idea.

[bumblebee]

Originally Posted by AirborneR1Champ

PM me, I am serious but I still have 9 yrs left in the Army. I have been "Fast Tracking" in the military and should be a Nominative CSM before I get out. My CSM tells me he is grooming to be the future SMA :Sergeant Major of the Army. LOL I am very interrested.

I know a fellow who retired as a command sgt major...He got promoted every time he was eligible...Did 2 tours in Viet Nam and was in charge of the stockade in Seoul and spent a few years in Panama, where I used to visit him. Now, he's head of security for a casino in Evansville, Indiana...

contact your local princinct committee person and they can get you all the information you need...It will also be in the Constitution of the State where you want to run.

[Triple_Z]

Senator? National or state? If you're talking national, start small and try to get elected as a Representative first. This is just my opinion. But honestly, as Senators are elected for 6-year terms, there's more chances for graft...thus it costs more to get the position. Connections for a US Senator are VERY important. State Senators are less so, but it's still not as easy as becoming a local representative. And it depends on the area. If you look at the average state, you have to be careful where you're trying to get elected. If you're a registered Democrat or planning on DNC contributions to your campaign, I'd try for districts in more heavily Democratic areas (Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro). Areas with large universities are rarely, if ever, conservative. For RNC contributions, figure the more rural areas, or those which are more business/industry oriented...Charlotte might be up in the air there. Hilton Head/Kitty Hawk is a little more affluent and would probably go more Republican. I'd guess anywhere around Ft. Bragg is going to go Republican. You really have to analyze your area. Your intentions may be just and good, but it's important to know that what you stand for is what your potential constituency/electorate base believes in. For instance, I'm originally from Pennsylvania. If you're a Democrat, you only concentrate on places like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie...maybe Scranton, Reading, and a few others. If you're a Republican, you focus on everything in between Pittsburgh & Philadelphia and forget about winning the cities as you don't have a prayer in hell.

Politics is really a game. If you want to get elected, you have to play it as such. Just my 2 cents....and good luck!

[Triple_Z]

Oops, almost forgot to add, are you married? If so, does your wife play in base politics? If you are married, and she doesn't currently "play", you both need to start. 9 years gives you time to start building connections and learning how to play the game. Knowing how to interact with your XO/CO, and their respective significant others, in a social setting is going to give you a taste for what politics, social dinners, etc., are like.

Case in point (for those Pittsburghers who've been to the Rangos Omnimax @ the Carnegie Science Center): someone in the family used to date John Rangos. She can remember to this day what the social dinners were like. Every judge John shook hands with rec'd a "palmed" $100 bill...standard practice in Pgh. back in the 70's. When asked why he didn't consider running, he said that it was easier to own a politician than to be one.

Seriously, politics will test your sense of morality and judgement. You may go in with good intentions, but realize that you've got to play the game to get something passed. Rogues seldom make a name for themselves for a long time...again, just my 2 cents.

[UberGoober]

I think you are going to have to study. Someone wrote that you should study politcal science but I'm not sure if it is a great choice for a future in politics - the only president ever elected with a Polic Sci degree was Woodrow Wilson.

If you want to go into politics you need to start grooming yourself now. I think you should take classes in writing, speaking and debate. The army places a lot of emphasis on leadership and is a great training ground for elected office. Excel at whatever you do and avoid getting into anything that could hurt your reputation.

Remember too that there are other important jobs within our government that don't require being elected and consider those as well.

[Mucho Gonzales]

as far as I know, you have to get in good with those type of people. you need a political connection. someone already in power that can promote you.