On Fri, 2 Oct 1998, Maura Johnson wrote:

> What we really need, I think, are politicians
> who aren't just paying lip service to a specific HP issue that may pay off
> in the next election.  But preservationists in politics.  Is this thread
> back to Ken for Pres?  I've been a bad girl, and so haven't a chance.

Well, I ran for a seat in the state legislature, and lost in a 4-way
primary on August 4.  However, I'm actually pretty happy with the guy who
won: he's a retired school superintendent who described himself as a
"preservationist" in his campaign brochures.  I didn't even do that.
Whereas I always wore a tie to campaign events, he never did, and he plans
to regrow his pony tail after the election.  In any case, as the
Democratic nominee in this district, he's likely to be elected next month.

Back in the 1980s, anyway, I did my part for preservation in politics by
winning three terms as county commissioner -- a whole other long story.

I realize that the time for hat-throwing-into-rings has passed for this
year, but for those of you who have ever thought about seeking elected
office, local or county or state or whatever, this is the time.  There is
a growing shortage of reasonably sensible adults who are willing to run
for and serve in elected positions.  As a result, without strong
challengers or obvious successors, incumbents are staying in office
longer, and openings which occur are falling to relatively unqualified
political hacks -- or to newcomers with little political experience.

This is your chance!  The hacks are beatable.  Yeah, I didn't win my race
this year -- but the winner was one of those newcomers, someone who will
bring a fresh perspective.  The supposed front-runner candidate who had
all the labor and party leader endorsements, the powerful friends, and
lots of PAC backing also lost.

Running for office doesn't have to cost a lot.  True, I spent a couple
thousand of my own, but most of the campaign's money came from fundraising
events and mailings, enough to make me a contender.  Campaigns that spend
millions of dollars waste most of it on meals and hotels and polls and
paid staff: you don't need all that.

Of course, the details will vary depending on where you are, how many
people you know, how large a community you live in, and so on.  My message
is just this: quirks are no excuse.  If you're reasonably articulate,
personable, tolerant of long committee meetings, and willing to do some
work, and you have about a dozen loyal friends with time to help you,
elected office may be within your reach.

                           Larry Kestenbaum