Reddit mentions of Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself

If you're serious, I've heard good things about the book "Run for Something." I haven't read it myself, but it's a guide for getting involved and elected at a local level.

Honestly, I was sitting a training by Indiana Democrats and the person next to me said he read a great book called Run for Something. I picked up a copy, read it, saw they were endorsing candidates and applied for it and got it. I could probably use the slack a bit more, but for me, they hooked me up with a mentor who was GREAT to talk to and really just encouraged me. They also have created a lot of resources like a Canva style guide that helped for fast graphic creation. They have been great and I love being a part of it and the work they are doing.

I have also been active in a program by Indiana Democrats called the Emerging Leaders which has been AMAZING in preparing me for being a candidate. They have equipped us a lot with basic skills, how to fundraise, use voterfiles, etc..

If people want to run, I'd recommend reading the Run for Something book.

For me, the biggest challenge is name recognition and getting in front of voters. People start out as republican here, but if i can get in front of them, tell them why i am running and the issues that concern me, then I can get them on my side. At the local level its less political party and who is the person who can get things done.

As far as savvy, I use weebly for the website, crowdpac to online raise $$$, and canva for everything else. You gotta have some tech sense if you want to kick butt, but you also have to have the personality to connect with strangers and meet people.

I think as a party we need to invest in more pipelines for future candidates and start up funds for local races that can cover some basics like yard signs, ads in papers, digital advertising.

Obviously not OP. But give Run For Something a read. Maybe you don't end up running for office. But it can help give you an appreciation of why it's important to engage with and help candidates even for smaller positions. Your school board, your city council members, your township trustees can have a huge impact. It can be the difference that gives you quality schools, roads that don't swallow your car, and maybe even forward thinking policies such as municipal internet access. Those things impact your life as much or more than national level elections.

Find out who's running for positions in your area and talk to them, find out what they want to achieve and decide if that's something you think would be good. Then help out in any way you can. Maybe it's volunteering or working for them. Maybe it's simply making sure your friend's and family are registered to vote and know when the elections are and their voting location and how they're going to get there.