OP-ED: Unhappy with your choices at the polls? Throw your hat in the ring
If you’re often uninspired by the candidates on your ballot, now may be the time to throw your own hat into the ring.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. From the very founding of our nation, citizen involvement has been the backbone of the American government. Active participation sustains representative republics like ours.
Running for local office – whether for school board, county commissioner, or township supervisor – is one of the most direct ways to engage in the process. While national elections dominate headlines, the decisions that affect our daily lives the most are made at the local level. The roads we drive on, the taxes we pay, the schools our children attend, and the safety of our neighborhoods are all shaped by local government, yet many of these positions sometimes go uncontested.
In 2023, I ran for office for the first time, joining a crowded primary for an open county commissioner seat. I did not win. Yes, money, experience, and professional campaign teams can play a big role, but that shouldn’t discourage good people who genuinely want the best for their community from stepping up. Many positions do not require a heavy investment of money, but of time and dedication. Even in defeat, the lessons I learned remain valuable for the future.
One of the most rewarding aspects of running for office is the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Whether knocking on doors, attending local events, or sitting down for coffee, you gain insight into the hopes, struggles, and priorities of your neighbors.
Running for office also offers a crash course in local governance, where you quickly learn who the decision-makers are, how policies are crafted, and which issues dominate the political landscape. You find yourself in rooms with city planners, school board members, law enforcement officials, and economic development leaders – people who shape the future of your town, whether you win the election or not. These experiences offer insight into how local government works and the impact it has on the community, no matter the outcome.
These relationships matter. Even if a campaign doesn’t end in victory, the connections made along the way often open doors to new opportunities for service. Some candidates go on to serve on advisory boards or committees, while others become passionate advocates for key community issues. By running for office, you earn a voice in the conversation.
Running for office can be exhausting, expensive, and emotionally draining. Even if the challenges seem daunting, the real failure isn’t losing an election – It’s sitting on the sidelines, letting apathy or fear stop good people from stepping up. As a citizen, you have a place in the conversation if you’re willing to earn it.
Apathy is democracy’s greatest enemy. When good people choose not to run, when voters disengage, and when communities allow a small handful of people to make all the decisions, we lose something essential.
Our country was built on the idea that leadership should not be reserved for the wealthy, the connected, or the career politicians. It should belong to the people. That’s why we need more everyday citizens to step up.
Whether you’re considering running for office or simply looking for ways to get more involved, remember this: America works best when we all participate. We are stronger when our communities reflect a diversity of voices, perspectives, and ideas. And we are better off when people of integrity and passion are willing to put themselves out there – not for power, but for the good of their neighbors.
Kevin Redford is a small business owner and consultant in North Strabane and was a candidate for Washington County commissioner in the 2023 primary.