Scotty For Supervisor: My 2007 Campaign

**Scotty** · 02.22.07, 10:32 AM

Where do I even begin?

For most of my adult life, I've had political aspirations. Unless my family talks me out of it over the next few days, I've nearly come to the conclusion that I will seek the Republican nomination for my district's Board of Supervisors seat in my home county. The election is this fall.

The timing of my decision to run is based primarily on my dissatisfaction with the current supervisor in office (Democrat) — a convicted felon who previously served as our supervisor some 15 years ago. He was indicted while in office way back then. In 2003, voters in my district returned him to office, though the incumbent supervisor had done a fine job for nearly 10 years.

Long story short, the current incumbent's "questionable" behavior has continued during his most recent term, and I've had enough.

If the local Republican Party had another candidate lined up to challenge this fellow, I probably would step aside. However, the county in which I live is predominantly Democrat — maybe 2:1. Though there is precedent for a Republican candidate to win in this area, it's always difficult. I find that to be quite a shame, considering local politics have virtually nothing to do with party lines. After all, what does fighting to ensure constituents have access to public water have to do with party affiliation? Unfortunately, that doesn't often factor into local voters' decisions to blindly cast ballots based on party lines, with no regard for who, in fact, is the better and more qualified candidate.

It will be an uphill battle, if for no reason other than the sheer numbers working against me. But I'm prepared to give it my all. Many of you already know I'm a journalist by trade, so my name is already familiar in the community.

If there are any other current/former politicians around the Links, I'd love to hear your experiences. I'll probably make a final decision by the first of the week.

**willy4pres** · 02.22.07, 10:45 AM

That's badass Scotty!

I believe you would be our first VHLinker that works as an elected official.

**MikeL** · 02.22.07, 10:59 AM

If your main goal is to get him out of office and Republicans are at such a disadvantage, why not take a different strategy? If there's a primary involved for the Democrats, challenge him there first. That'd be a smaller, less expensive campaign to run. Fewer people to convince, too. If you fail to win that nomination, run as an independent. That'd provide a second chance to take a swipe at him, and you'd likely carry over the people who voted for you in the primary.

Be prepared to press a lot of flesh if you want to win. A friend of mine got elected to the MN House last year. The amount of time he had to spend knocking on doors to beat an entrenched incumbent was scary.

**Scotty** · 02.22.07, 11:15 AM

The problem with that, Mike, is that traditional primaries aren't conducted here (don't ask me why). Candidates announce their intention to seek the party nomination, after which the party leaders convene and select who they wish to nominate. For obvious reasons, the Dems won't uproot a sitting supervisor.

Running as an independent was a possibility. However, running on the GOP tickets affords me the resources to wage a campaign I couldn't fund as well on my own.

**onefootoutthedoor** · 02.22.07, 11:20 AM

Scotty, not surprised about the primaries not being conducted. In the smaller local stuff, it's not uncommon. My biggest thing would be to stress the things that would get done regardless of party lines. Find a common ground for people to meet on and go from there. If there is an issue/s that people can come together on and see something in common with each other, then it will help you in the long run.

**Axxman300** · 02.22.07, 05:59 PM

Get your teeth cleaned, get your hair "Styled" and always check your fly.

Underline your opponant's failures and stress what you plan to do differently.
Contact the local GOP and talk to them about your intentions and find out about theirs. They may have a favorite candidate already and - let's face it - they will sand bag you behind your back if you run anyway. They might not have a clue and might welcome a fresh face. You will have to do some meet & greets in local GOP homes where you'll be introduced to the folks with the fat wallets and purses.

Don't be affraid to ask for a shitload of money, not that you'll get it but you sure as hell won't if you don't ask for it.

Find out who this stupid-visor has pissed off on both sides of the party spectrum and glad-hand them. Find out what they want, if it's something you can do them promise you'll try and if it's something that there's no way you can do it then promise you'll try.

Learn about other issues that you might not be up on, housing, zoning, agriculture or whatever and have a position on them. Also be up on local current events. Find out what gets the little old ladies up in arms and show up at their meetings with ideas. Whatever you're going to do you'll need to be everywhere you can, shaking hands and kissing babies. That's no joke.

**voivod** · 02.22.07, 06:09 PM

Have strong skin and don't take people's comments personally because you'll never please everyone... Being a Board member of a youth sports program for going on four years, I still struggle with my advice to you... Though I have learned that I would never want to take my community involvement any further than this because of the number of whiny assholes, who will bitch about everything YET will never use that energy to step up and aid in helping change the reason why they're bitching in the first place...