I’ve run for political office twice, plus a number of other times for party positions.
I’ve not won election to the West Virginia Legislature.
According to those who don’t like my stance on issues, that’s a good reason to call me a “failed politician.” In truth, the “failed politician” is the blowhard who’s never run for political office.
Let me make something crystal clear: While some may espouse altruistic reasons for seeking political office, the real reason they run is the perks that come with the position. They are running for themselves, not for you. Never forget this fact when it comes to politics.
Want to know what causes a billionaire in his late 70’s to spend hundreds of millions of his own dollars chasing the highest office in the land?
It’s not about you. It’s about him. Pure and simple. And it’s no different for local or state politicians.
For the record, I faced a critical decision this election cycle. Did I want to run for House of Delegates? I talked to trusted advisors who know what it would take.
I talked to distrusted advisors, just to watch their reaction. One told me about all the wonderful people who would be running, and how they would have such solid support from this or that special interest group. That turned out to be a complete fabrication.
“Playing the political drama game is not something I do well. Just like I don’t want drama in my personal life, I don’t want to deal with some of the people, the drama ‘kings and queens.'”
Playing the political drama game is not something I do well. Just like I don’t want drama in my personal life, I don’t want to deal with some of the people, the drama “kings and queens.”
Then I look around present and past Legislatures, I see far too many politicians whom I would not have done business with, and who would fail miserably in the business world. Many of them have.
Of course, I sent word down state, and was reminded that “leadership” didn’t think I was “compliant enough.” That’s likely accurate. I’m the guy who would do what’s right, and I don’t respond to being bullied.
Sometimes, candidates will throw their hat in the ring to affect the outcome of an election.
If I had run, which candidates would I take votes from? Which way could I swing this election?
The best input I received was from my friends in the “fourth estate,” the media. One advised, “You can win this race.” The other said as if he was reading my mind, “Either run hard, or not at all. Don’t walk for office”. The latter is sound advice for anyone.
The other thing is what my lovely and talented wife refers to as the “fun to finance factor”.
Running a successful race for House of Delegates in this part of West Virginia is a $30,000 endeavor. You have to either raise it (unlikely if you’re a Republican) or write some very hefty checks. So, you spend a lot of time (which is likely more valuable), and a lot of cash, and the “prize” is a $20,000 per session position.
If you win it, you need to come back and do it again in two years.
Did I mention it comes with nearly six hours in the car during the winter every week? And missing my Granddaughter’s ball games? The time with our children? Oh, and the opportunity to stay in a hotel room that you would not want to look at with a UV light while being serenaded by the couple in the next room who are not only noisy but vocal?
You’ll also have the opposition providing you with what amounts to a colonoscopy on a weekly basis, looking at everything you do in your personal life, your business life, and every vote you make on the floor, and every rumor the chattering class can crank out.
In this day and age, all those wonderful baseless allegations come with a social media troll, too. Yay.
A few years back, I wrote fairly extensively about the teachers’ raises and was generally in favor of the raises even if I thought the Governor could have come up with more money. However, I didn’t fall in line with the druthers of either one of the teachers’ unions. The more militant of their members threatened my granddaughter when I was in a convenience store and a second time in the grocery.
Let’s forget about the educators disgracing themselves. The question becomes, is it worth it to put myself in that kind of position again?
If I’m getting that kind of foolishness when prattling on about happenings in the state, what’s going to happen if I’m in the Legislature?
There’s another dimension I don’t know exactly how to explain, but you have to have a fire in your belly if you want to get elected. I had one in the past. Maybe since I have a bit more belly now, that fire is smoldering?
So, is it worth it? Obviously, I thought so in 2010 and again in 2014.
I don’t think so today, and I did not file to run in 2024. It was a tough decision, but ultimately the right one for my wife and me.
So next year, when the Legislature is in session, we will be roaming around some much warmer places in our motorhome, visiting with family and friends and making new memories.
No one, except for me, owns that highly complex and multi-faceted decision.
Will I lament not running? Only time will tell.
