How to run for the US House of Representatives - Texas edition
October 27, 2017 11:07 PM Subscribe
In 2016, my district was unopposed Republican in the election. I don't think there should be any unopposed Republicans in 2018. Questions inside.
I live in the highest numbered district in Texas (let's avoid names and numbers, no point in helping any Google Alerts out). I have no great consuming need to run for office in my life, but I refuse to let my district be unopposed in 2018. The top 3 most pressing issues I believe in are:
1. Universal healthcare is a right, and also cheaper than the current system.
2. A woman controls her own body, the government does not.
3. Every economy is a moral statement, and we should choose policy to decrease inequality.
If someone else is already running, I'm very fine to not. So my questions, in order of priority, are:
1. Can I find out if someone is already running against the incumbent? If so, where?
2. Where do I find out deadlines, etc. for my run?
3. I'm registered to vote, but not registered with a political party. How do I join the Democratic Party, and what kind of help could I really count on from them? (My district is R+26 so I'd expect to be a low priority nationally, but I could really use advice.) (I'm sure I can Google how to join, so I guess this question is really, what do I do differently when intending to be a candidate vs joining to vote in primaries?)
4. I have zero social media presence. Are there any guides or books written on effective use of social media in modern campaigning? Heck, I don't even know how to avoid someone making fake accounts in my name.
5. What is running for the House really like? Not a lot of televised debates, I'm guessing.
If all I do is make the Republican party spend money, it counts as a victory. Winning would count as two victories. Thanks for the help.
I live in the highest numbered district in Texas (let's avoid names and numbers, no point in helping any Google Alerts out). I have no great consuming need to run for office in my life, but I refuse to let my district be unopposed in 2018. The top 3 most pressing issues I believe in are:
1. Universal healthcare is a right, and also cheaper than the current system.
2. A woman controls her own body, the government does not.
3. Every economy is a moral statement, and we should choose policy to decrease inequality.
If someone else is already running, I'm very fine to not. So my questions, in order of priority, are:
1. Can I find out if someone is already running against the incumbent? If so, where?
2. Where do I find out deadlines, etc. for my run?
3. I'm registered to vote, but not registered with a political party. How do I join the Democratic Party, and what kind of help could I really count on from them? (My district is R+26 so I'd expect to be a low priority nationally, but I could really use advice.) (I'm sure I can Google how to join, so I guess this question is really, what do I do differently when intending to be a candidate vs joining to vote in primaries?)
4. I have zero social media presence. Are there any guides or books written on effective use of social media in modern campaigning? Heck, I don't even know how to avoid someone making fake accounts in my name.
5. What is running for the House really like? Not a lot of televised debates, I'm guessing.
If all I do is make the Republican party spend money, it counts as a victory. Winning would count as two victories. Thanks for the help.
Google around and find your local party bosses (assuming there are at least a few). Nobody can run for office all alone, you need help! Maybe Congress will be too ambitious for a first run, but you could start locally and work your way up. Don’t underestimate the opportunity to affect change at the local level. I’ve been volunteering for a local campaign, and after asking for suggestions, one of the staffers recommend this book to me - Sidewalk Strategies. Looking forward to more details on the grunt work needed to build a successful campaign.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:12 AM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:12 AM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have a friend who ran for Senate as a third party candidate in a southwestern state. He said there is essentially two ways to go about it, friendly or hostile. That is, you can do it with the help of a party or try to get on their line without their help using petitions. They called the party of their choice and in their state and basically was told they had someone who they thought could win, so he contacted a 3rd party that was very happy to have a normal person willing to run on their party line. I don't know about Texas (or anywhere else for that matter) but I think if a party does not gwet a certain percentage of the vote, they risk having a party line in the next election.
I would contact the head of the Democrats congressional person responsible for getting and supporting candidates for congress. I would also call the Texas dems and tell them both what you told us. If they have a need, they will work with you and get you resources (but not a lot of money if they don't think you can win).
posted by AugustWest at 5:14 AM on October 28, 2017
I would contact the head of the Democrats congressional person responsible for getting and supporting candidates for congress. I would also call the Texas dems and tell them both what you told us. If they have a need, they will work with you and get you resources (but not a lot of money if they don't think you can win).
posted by AugustWest at 5:14 AM on October 28, 2017
If you are female, then She Should Run is an organization helping women run for office.
I think you’re right that no office should go uncontested— but I would argue this is true for more local offices too (state house, senate, city council, etc). This might even be more particularly true in a red state where the national climate has a stronger effect (on eg health care access).
posted by nat at 9:17 AM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think you’re right that no office should go uncontested— but I would argue this is true for more local offices too (state house, senate, city council, etc). This might even be more particularly true in a red state where the national climate has a stronger effect (on eg health care access).
posted by nat at 9:17 AM on October 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
1. Can I find out if someone is already running against the incumbent? If so, where?
FEC would have the information for people who'd filed. Lots of races won't have people filing yet.
2. Where do I find out deadlines, etc. for my run?
TX Secretary of State's webpages.
3. I'm registered to vote, but not registered with a political party.
This is true of everyone in Texas!
How do I join the Democratic Party,
Do you mean how do you become their nominee? Win the primary. You don't have to join in any meaningful sense to do this, only enter the race per whatever the SoS's procedures are. If you are the only person running in the primary, you will win.
If you mean actually "becoming" a Democrat, look up your county Democratic party or, if that isn't obvious, just contact the party in ReallyBigCityNearby or SmallerCityOnTheGulf. They'll know, or know that there just isn't one.
and what kind of help could I really count on from them?
About zip. You are what is called a sacrificial lamb. Your job is to be there in the event that the incumbent is caught on camera having sex, with a dead boy, on a church altar, while declaring his allegiance to ISIS. They might help you run a token campaign.
4. I have zero social media presence. Are there any guides or books written on effective use of social media in modern campaigning? Heck, I don't even know how to avoid someone making fake accounts in my name.
5. What is running for the House really like? Not a lot of televised debates, I'm guessing.
For you, running for the US House should not be particularly different from not running for it. You should not spend any more money than you absolutely have to and frankly it is not worth spending much of your time trying to figure out how to campaign effectively.
By all means, if you feel called to do this, you should enter the race. But you really really shouldn't spend money, time, or effort trying to win. You're not there to win. You're there to make a statement that not everyone supports the incumbent, that there are Democrats to vote for and to cast votes, and so on.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 11:38 AM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
FEC would have the information for people who'd filed. Lots of races won't have people filing yet.
2. Where do I find out deadlines, etc. for my run?
TX Secretary of State's webpages.
3. I'm registered to vote, but not registered with a political party.
This is true of everyone in Texas!
How do I join the Democratic Party,
Do you mean how do you become their nominee? Win the primary. You don't have to join in any meaningful sense to do this, only enter the race per whatever the SoS's procedures are. If you are the only person running in the primary, you will win.
If you mean actually "becoming" a Democrat, look up your county Democratic party or, if that isn't obvious, just contact the party in ReallyBigCityNearby or SmallerCityOnTheGulf. They'll know, or know that there just isn't one.
and what kind of help could I really count on from them?
About zip. You are what is called a sacrificial lamb. Your job is to be there in the event that the incumbent is caught on camera having sex, with a dead boy, on a church altar, while declaring his allegiance to ISIS. They might help you run a token campaign.
4. I have zero social media presence. Are there any guides or books written on effective use of social media in modern campaigning? Heck, I don't even know how to avoid someone making fake accounts in my name.
5. What is running for the House really like? Not a lot of televised debates, I'm guessing.
For you, running for the US House should not be particularly different from not running for it. You should not spend any more money than you absolutely have to and frankly it is not worth spending much of your time trying to figure out how to campaign effectively.
By all means, if you feel called to do this, you should enter the race. But you really really shouldn't spend money, time, or effort trying to win. You're not there to win. You're there to make a statement that not everyone supports the incumbent, that there are Democrats to vote for and to cast votes, and so on.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 11:38 AM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Get in touch with your most local elected representative who is not a Republican. Politics is the sort of thing you dive into, not the sort where you hang around the periphery.
posted by SemiSalt at 1:01 PM on October 28, 2017
posted by SemiSalt at 1:01 PM on October 28, 2017
The page for your district on ballotpedia.org lists two Democratic candidates.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:01 PM on October 29, 2017
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:01 PM on October 29, 2017
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2. The FEC web site has deadline information.
3. Contact your local voter registration official to get information on updating your affiliation.
4. Can't help you here.
5. No idea.
If you decide to help the probable Democratic candidate rather than run on your own, get in touch with their campaign and see what you can do to help.
posted by xyzzy at 12:07 AM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]