Some more advice for getting started on your political campaign. If you care about your community, but aren't sure which office you might want to run for, (and there are no elections this year, with California's new even year only elections) you should start by getting involved in an issue that you care about. Is it climate change, housing, creating more parks and open space, better education for kids? Figure out what excites you and see what you can do to get involved.
If it's education, and you have kids in school, you probably know the issues well. Are there some committees with openings you can join, like site council or curriculum? Start going to school board meetings, join the PTA, see what seats might be up in the next cycle or two. In the case of most school boards, races are by district, so know what district you are in first. Then see if you approve of the job the incumbent is doing. It may be all is well, and there will no place for you this time.
Even so, stay involved and be ready for a new opening or you might find you are excited about some other position on a non-profit, in local Party organization, or other club, ad hoc committee or maybe volunteer on another candidate's committee. Who knows, you may get a rewarding job offer as staff when your candidate gets elected. 
