Monday, September 16, 2013

Should you leave one elected office to pursue another in your first term?

Sometimes, people get the bug to move up the food chain in politics before they are ready. Or before their constituents are ready for them. If you're in your first term in a modest local office, school board, city council, sewer board, it might not be the best move to mount a run for State Senate.

I could say it all depends, and it does, of course. Everything is relative. But it's unusual to make such a leap unless you are particularly suited for the new office.  Those who voted for you the first time around are likely to see you as personally ambitious, not publicly minded. There are exceptions of course. If an open seat comes up and you ARE particularly suited for it, have done your homework, are exceptionally charismatic or have a compelling argument to make or issue to back that no one else can do, go for it.

But don't let your ego outrun your ability. Humility does not necessarily disqualify you from holding higher office. Hubris might just tank your political career in its infancy.


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