How do I get into politics?

[sbjmg]

How do I get into politics?

A little bit about my self:

I am a conservative. [Small Government + Freedom (as described in the Bill of Rights)]
I will turn 25 later this year.
I live in San Diego.
My parents are from a foreign country, I was born in Southern California.
Unfortunately my parents are not part of a large community, such as Filipinos or Mexicans, which means I will not have a built in support base.
I currently (2+ years) work as a a Sr. Financial Analyst for a large Health Care Provider.
I have worked (1 year) as a Consultant/Analyst for various municipalities.
I interned as a city planner (1 year).
I have owned my own business (7 months, successful shoe store that I sold).

[Soldier415]

I would recommend getting your feet wet in a campaign here in the state in this coming election either presidential, congressional, or state government.

If you want to explore that avenue, PM me and I can point you in the right direction.

[emc002]

I lived in SD for about 12 years, but this advice is a bit generic. Basically, you'll need to give a lot of volunteer time, focus on the right areas for your own advancement (sure thing candidates versus long shots) and eventually run for office, starting small since you're young and have time.
I'm reading that you're not politically connected (since you're asking the question) so you'll have to start small.

Depending on where you are in San Diego, some of the advice is geographic.
First, start attending San Diego County Republican Central Committee Meetings.
Second, volunteer in (pick one) your local Republican Assembly, Senate (if up this term) and Congressman campaigns. You'll make good contacts there that will serve you later for endorsements and campaign funding. (ETA: Don't waste your time in the Presidential campaign now. McCain's base is weak and not a traditional base that will serve you well in the future, sorry to contradict you Dan! :p )
Third, volunteer in you local supervisor/water district/city council races if that candidate matches your ideals and has higher aspirations. You'll move up as they move up in terms of experience and maybe you'll become an heir apparent to their old seat.
Fourth, get involved in your community. San Diego Taxpayers ***'n is good, at least on service organization (Rotary or Lions are strong in SD), at least one fraternal organization (Elks, Moose, Native Sons are good).
Fifth, get involved in your local community. Attend board, city council, water district meetings when you can.

Those were in no particular order of importance either, just off the top of my head.
If on the other hand, there is a particular power vacuum in you area (unlikely in SD, but I guess possible) and you can raise sufficient capital ($20,000 minimum) then you might have a shot at a November race for a relatively insignificant seat.

Good luck and feel free to PM me with specific questions. I've run and am running a few campaigns right now up north.

How do I get into politics?

A little bit about my self:

I am a conservative. [Small Government + Freedom (as described in the Bill of Rights)]
I will turn 25 later this year.
I live in San Diego.
My parents are from a foreign country, I was born in Southern California.
Unfortunately my parents are not part of a large community, such as Filipinos or Mexicans, which means I will not have a built in support base.
I currently (2+ years) work as a a Sr. Financial Analyst for a large Health Care Provider.
I have worked (1 year) as a Consultant/Analyst for various municipalities.
I interned as a city planner (1 year)
I have owned my own business (7 months, successful shoe store that I sold).

[Soldier415]

(ETA: Don't waste your time in the Presidential campaign now. McCain's base is weak and not a traditional base that will serve you well in the future, sorry to contradict you Dan! :p )


No worries, just one place to get started that there are many openings. A success in your area of responsiblity on your record, as well as the contacts that come with it are a good first step regardless of the candidate.

Campaigns are more likely to take you on at a higher capacity if you bring contacts.

But yes, work for McClintock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MILLITIAof1]

If I were you I would start lying cheating and stealing, just to get a head start on the game.

[bwiese]

You have to give to get.
Participate in all sortsa local campaigns and clubs or for local ballot drives.

Your first seat you'll seek likely will be for some board. Use that as a steppingstone.

If you are in a highly Democrat area, perhaps you need to be a democrat and bring some conservatism (or at least pro-gunness) there. Rule #1 is that you have to win to get your ideas thru.

[Pvt. Cowboy]

How do I get into politics?

From what I am able to determine, you either have to have a law degree or own the biggest car dealership in town.

[tgriffin]

Get involved with your local political party. http://www.sandiegorepublicans.org/.

Start local. Get appointed to a county committee or two. Get involved with whatever flavor of community service org you prefer: Masons, Elk, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc (a good start would be to lurk at the next SDRP meeting and quietly ask around which is the most popular CSO amongst the party big-whigs). If you are serious about running... devote yourself to this for a solid year... every function/bake sale/speaker dinner... any function you can. Work as a poll/depot worker for the county elections office... you'll be amazed what you'll learn. Subtly get more and more involved. Make your intentions known to the SDRP chairman. You'll get looked at and either fast-tracked or thanked for all your service/red-shirted.

It's all about positioning, and it sounds like you have a great brag-sheet, but this is a game where its not what you know, its who you know.

[UBFRAGD]

If you have to ask

you can't afford

or

Sorry my friend

No invitation, no entrance

or

Hi, I'm an honest guy,

I'd like to run for office
(drowned out by audience laughter)

that being said any CG'er running for any office that might inject some common sense into politics and deny the socialists an easy victory has my vote and possibly a little $upport.
Good luck

[tombinghamthegreat]

Good luck and hope to see more calguners involved in politics.

[AngelDecoys]

As has been mentioned, Volunteer alot. Much will simply be name recognition, experience, money, and contacts.

Think small to begin with. Run for a city position, school board, or other non-paid elected position. Many an elected official began on the school board, PTA, city council member, etc.

For example, these numbers are a bit old, but may cost you the following to run a bare bones campaign.

State Senate $1-2 million
State Assembly $80-100,000+

[ldivinag]

start with the school board or city council member...

then kiss a lot of A**...



lol...

[rynando]

Most start with the school board or some appointed position to a commission that nobody else wants like planning commission or parks and rec commission. Most city council members have been school board memebers. That'll at least give you a taste of what you're getting yourself into and let you know if it's something you want to continue with.

Ryan

[berto]

I had a friend in college that volunteered for the local assembly and state senate incumbents. He got to know them and their staffers and backers. He went to the local republican women luncheons and made contacts with the ladies who lunch. He walked precincts. He worked the phone banks. He went to the St. Paddy fund-raising parties. He did the grunt work and made the contacts. He ran for an open assembly seat a few years after graduation and eked out the primary win for what was a safe assembly seat.

I have another friend that is a top aide to a US senator. He started at the bottom in DC answering phones and opening letters. He got a masters in a relevant discipline and went back to DC and continued to work up the ladder. He travels the world, does interesting work, and guides his boss' decisions on some issues.

Do the grunt work. Make contacts. Figure out if you're in a place where you can be competitive. San Diego is spread out but it's still kind of a small town. The same people show up at the same events. Work your way up and find some deep pockets. You can hold office or do things behind the scenes.

[Anthonysmanifesto]

How do I get into politics?



its big industry- it can be a good career or just a neat hobby.

"politics" is varied and diverse. What are your goals?

[Anthonysmanifesto]

I would recommend getting your feet wet in a campaign here in the state in this coming election either presidential, congressional, or state government.

If you want to explore that avenue, PM me and I can point you in the right direction.

I too would be willing to provide some counsel- there are other routes that are less painful

it really depends on your goals

[GuyW]

(All things being equal) political possibilities within the City of San Diego are less than in outlying suburban cities....too big and too many people after a fixed number of openings (I'm including appointed city boards and commissions here). Typically pols start on various appointed boards and commissions, to learn about the nuts and bolts of government operation, and build a resume.

Best near-term option for pro-gun activists to make a difference in San Diego County?

Jay La Suer, Candidate for Sheriff - donate money till it hurts and work for his campaign.

http://www.sheriffjay.org/

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=82332

[ibanezfoo]

How do I get into politics?

A little bit about my self:

I am a conservative. [Small Government + Freedom (as described in the Bill of Rights)]
I will turn 25 later this year.
I live in San Diego.
My parents are from a foreign country, I was born in Southern California.
Unfortunately my parents are not part of a large community, such as Filipinos or Mexicans, which means I will not have a built in support base.
I currently (2+ years) work as a a Sr. Financial Analyst for a large Health Care Provider.
I have worked (1 year) as a Consultant/Analyst for various municipalities.
I interned as a city planner (1 year).
I have owned my own business (7 months, successful shoe store that I sold).

Commit lots of crimes. Rob people, get a body list going.... bribe who you have to. Attain some power and hire some goons. Go to the dentist and make sure to have a shiny crocodile smile. That will be a good start. :D :TFH: Most important lesson: Learn to lie really well and believe your own lies. Work on your upturned nose angle to show how elite you are.

-Bryan

[NorCalAl]

I think first step is to sell your soul. I hear eBay has a category for it.