If you are considering running for office, if you've run for office before or even if you're running for office now, you may be wondering whether to run as a Democrat or just run as an Independent, a Progressive.
There are pros and cons to either course of action.
DEMOCRAT - Chances are if you run as a Democrat you will be able to more easily gather support from other Democrats and, more importantly, more easily raise money from the party. That is the pro side of the equation, the connections and the money. On the con side, if you're running on the county or state level in an area dominated by the GOP or in a battleground area between the two major parties then you're fighting an uphill battle particularly in regards to raising money. It is a fact that donors to the GOP have far more throwaway funds than Democrats. And then there's the incumbency factor. Whether you're running as a Progressive or a Democrat, if the office is already filled in an election year you have to compete for votes and money. And getting on the bad side of Democratic Party leaders in your area by running against their incumbent can backfire, even if it's an open race. Still, you've got a halfway decent shot at getting into office as a Democrat if you live in a Democrat stronghold.
PROGRESSIVE - I won't lie to you; this is an uphill battle all the way. Unless you can garner enough support from Progressive Democrats, chances are you're not going to succeed in making it to the primary much less past it. And even if by some longshot you manage to get into a general election, you will be running against two establishment party candidates in a system that is not friendly to third party candidates. That is the con side. On the plus side, and this is especially true if you are running for a low-level position such as Precinct Committee Member (PCM), you will have the benefit of being able to raise name recognition for your party. Plus, if you live in a particularly Progressive area you might be able to gain support from Progressive Democrats especially if the Democratic leadership is DINO (Democrat In Name Only).
Either way, you have a big decision to make. And either way, you will need to raise awareness for Progressive causes and recognition. Start with attending ward club meetings, block watch meetings, neighborhood events, etc. Get your name, face and platform out there for people to familiarize themselves with.
Got any ideas yourself? By all means share them.
There are pros and cons to either course of action.
DEMOCRAT - Chances are if you run as a Democrat you will be able to more easily gather support from other Democrats and, more importantly, more easily raise money from the party. That is the pro side of the equation, the connections and the money. On the con side, if you're running on the county or state level in an area dominated by the GOP or in a battleground area between the two major parties then you're fighting an uphill battle particularly in regards to raising money. It is a fact that donors to the GOP have far more throwaway funds than Democrats. And then there's the incumbency factor. Whether you're running as a Progressive or a Democrat, if the office is already filled in an election year you have to compete for votes and money. And getting on the bad side of Democratic Party leaders in your area by running against their incumbent can backfire, even if it's an open race. Still, you've got a halfway decent shot at getting into office as a Democrat if you live in a Democrat stronghold.
PROGRESSIVE - I won't lie to you; this is an uphill battle all the way. Unless you can garner enough support from Progressive Democrats, chances are you're not going to succeed in making it to the primary much less past it. And even if by some longshot you manage to get into a general election, you will be running against two establishment party candidates in a system that is not friendly to third party candidates. That is the con side. On the plus side, and this is especially true if you are running for a low-level position such as Precinct Committee Member (PCM), you will have the benefit of being able to raise name recognition for your party. Plus, if you live in a particularly Progressive area you might be able to gain support from Progressive Democrats especially if the Democratic leadership is DINO (Democrat In Name Only).
Either way, you have a big decision to make. And either way, you will need to raise awareness for Progressive causes and recognition. Start with attending ward club meetings, block watch meetings, neighborhood events, etc. Get your name, face and platform out there for people to familiarize themselves with.
Got any ideas yourself? By all means share them.
posted by:
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Cleveland
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