I am considering a run at the House

[Camaro]

The Evil representative in my district, Mark Green, is going to be making a run for the governor of Wisconsin so it's going to be open. I have not seen anyone stepping up to make a run so I think I am going to try. I have never run for public office before but I know it's not easy. Has anyone here ever done this and if you have can you give me any advice?

[aquart]

1. Try! For the pension! For the healthcare!

Maybe you could also do some good, but, my GOD! the benefits!

I simply mention the perks.

[Lexingtonian]

2. uh, Win It the first time

Repetitions aren't any fun :D

Well, dcpoliticalreport.com/WI.htm has a lot of folks already listed as running, a pile of state legislature Repubs and essentially a State Senator on the Democratic side. A 70% reelection for Green doesn't make the district sound sufficiently competitive, though, for a newbie to be anything other than a sacrificial lamb, and quite likely out of reach for the state senator fellow too.

I'd take a look at the state senate seat.

[WCGreen]

3. Or the state House seat....

I ran for the US House back in 1992 as an outsider...

I got some minor attention when the Cleveland PD endorsed me and it really opened the door for a ten year run involved at the highest levels of county politics, but in the end, you need experience, a base beyond your friends and family and money, lot's of money. You need to prove you can raise at least 100k on your own or the DCCC will not even bother to look at you.....

See which of the state house people are seriously going to make a run..

Remember, the Senate guy maybe just making noise to get his name out in order to get some publicity. don't get trapped in that...

Right now, in January of 2005? I would get a list of the Ward Club Meetings in the district. Go out and meet the Precinct people. Write some letters to the editor.

Better yet, contact me and we will talk.....

I have been through a lot and can save you some deep ffrustration....

And I won't charge you a consulting fee......

[Camaro]

4. Ok

I will send you a pm

[SheilaT]

5. Start raising money NOW!

You'd be amazed at how expensive it is.

Also, see if you can do some focus group research to see how well you can hope to do. That's something my current Congressman did eight years ago when he was first considering running for that office.

It can be difficult for an absolute newcomer to win a national office first time out. So much depends on name recognition, which means you have to start right now.

Oh, heck, I'm going to PM you with more.