run for public office

It’s too early to begin seriously thinking about running for any federal office, but I am almost certain that I’ll run for a local office in the next ten to fifteen years, depending on where I end up after college.

I am a native of Arizona, and while I truly believe there are many amazing things about this state, I can tell you firsthand – as a product of the education system here, a lifelong resident of the biggest city, and a state university student – that there are so many improvements that could and should be made. It sounds (somewhat naively) idealistic and cliche, but I want to play a role in effecting change here.

I never wanted to do this before, but I think when regular people start running and winning will be the time that the USA begins to be a great country again

Here’s the most recent post to my blog which explains why…

i’d really like to do this when i’m still young. maybe i could start with city council or state representative…you have to be 25 to run for city council, which is stupid, but only 21 to run for state rep…

It’s in my blood. I’m already very civic-minded.

Well, my name is Justin Rich. I am a native of Mounds View, Minnesota. I joined the Army when I was 17 years old, and now that I am done I have returned home. I have been out now for about one year. To say things in a quick comment lets just say that my hometown of Mounds View has really went down hill. So has my state.
The road conditions are horrible, the taxes are fairly high without profit , and our juvinile crime rate has went through the roof. As a veteran who has served two tours in Iraq and who has seen the real game of politics I have decided to fight back.
I would eventually like to see myself as governor of this great state, but for now I guess I will stick to the local stuff. I am really tired of seeing the little people being pushed around. The middle and lower class people are really taking a beating right now, and I will fight this.
Well, that’s just a little about me, so I hope I will be joining all of you soon as an actual political figure. Thanks, and may the Lord bless.

I ran for a city council seat. Against an incumbent who had an initiative on the ballot and all of the union endorsements. I had to knock on a lots of doors to win this race. It soaked up a ton of my time but it was worth it. I won by 50 votes.

Probably.

I ran for two reasons. One: There was only one person running for the office, and I didn’t like the notion of an unopposed election. Two: Getting on the ballot was fairly easy—fifty signatures.

I’m not sure I’d do it again, but it was definitely a learning experience.

when I first signed up for 43things, i thought this would be a neat one but after trying to write an entry for it…lol, its just not a priority at all. Ta ta, Run for public office.

I’m beginning to think that there is no such thing as a “right time” to do this particular goal. I will always have something going on that can’t be interrupted by a sustained campaign. That doesn’t mean I won’t do it, however…