What does it actually take to run for office, and how do you know whether you should?

This week on Balance of Power, Annalise Klingbeil, Leah Ward, and Shannon Phillips offer a practical guide for anyone thinking about putting their name on a ballot, from the first conversation with a riding association to the realities of campaigning, fundraising, vetting, and family life.

First: forget the myth of the star candidate. A recognizable name might earn attention, but campaigns are built by people willing to knock doors, raise money, recruit a team, learn from those who came before them, and do the unglamorous work long before election day.

Then: candidate, vet thyself. Leah explains what political parties look for when they examine a prospective candidate’s history, why honesty matters more than perfection, and how years of social media posts can become a very expensive problem for a campaign.

Plus: why the candidate is not the protagonist, why campaigns are won through money and marks rather than grocery store compliments, and why anyone already imagining themselves in cabinet should probably take a step back.

Nominations, door knocking, political ambition, opposition research, lawn signs, campaign strategy, and everything to consider before putting your name on one.

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