Who do you want in your local government?
Yesterday I asked my Facebook following, "What do you look for in someone running for a spot in local government?" 52 responses, and here's what ya'll said.
After reading the list, I have SO many thoughts, but I'm curious about what YOU think about the list.
1. Someone who works, listens, and gets things done.
2. Someone who is aligned with the needs of the people and who is committed to being a public servant. One who understands that they work for the people and that's the only agenda that they have.
3. Honesty and empathy. Someone in the middle that’s not extreme right or left. Local government should be like a board, it’s what’s best for the community and not your personal/party beliefs.
4. Someone who wants to make change/progress and puts the interests of working people first. A person who prioritizes investing in community before giving big business everything it wants and isn’t beholden to a party apparatus, special interests or wealthy donors.
5. Someone who shows up, listens, takes initiative and works hard, doesn’t look for credit, who will be capable of learning that things are always more complex than they appear.
6. All of this! Especially someone who shows up- nothing drives
me crazier than someone who only comes out of the woodwork for campaign season and then disappears from the community again once elected. I need someone who is deeply involved, that is the only way to truly understand the needs of the community you serve.
7. Someone that can make change and actually do it not just say it to get a vote!!!!
8. Honestly, transparent access to information at all. Statements about a candidates stances on issues should be easy to access and all in one place online for everyone to read. In my small town, it’s impossible to find information on what candidates stand for which tells me very clearly that our election process in my town is a popularity contest. I really don’t know if this is an issue in larger cities, but this is the biggest issue I see as a voter in my small town. Not acceptable.
9. From an employee viewpoint - someone who understands how local government works (finances, ordinances, planning/zoning), what we are able to do (law vs desires), and has a willingness to see potential unintended consequences for implementation decades down the road.
10. A person who puts the best interest of the city and its citizens first especially when they have the opportunity to make a decision which would benefit the public over themselves personally. Ethical. Finds common ground and solutions. Has prior history of community work.
11. Someone who “gets it.” Someone with kids in the local school system, someone who has lived in the area a substantial amount of time, has spent time speaking with and actively listening to the locals. I want to know they understand the needs of the area.
12. One that can make the tough decisions for the city and not worry about the backlash from the vocal minority
13. I was just about to answer by giving examples of already elected officials of what not to elect but I’m being a good boy.
14. For the people ,by the people and understand what is like to be human !
15. Integrity. Fact based decision maker. Committed to serve citizens. Humility. Learner. Understands the money they spend comes from tax payers. Plenty of great comments have been shared on your post. Thanks!
16. Someone who isn’t already a politician, someone who understands what it’s like to be on the bottom rung and barely hanging on in society. Someone not flying around on their private jet whisking away to their summer home. Someone who doesn’t align themselves with either political party and can make fair decisions for the community as a whole, not just their political party and the people padding their campaign.
17. Compassion. Authenticity. Integrity.
18. Connections. Not afraid to get your hands dirty. Good hair.
19. You.
20. A person that has solid ethics, is of good moral character and truly looks out for his or hers constituents before self…..
21. Inclusive leadership
22. I've always looked for someone who can put their national political views aside and think about/do what's best for the local community. Making decisions at the local level is totally different that at a state or federal level, in my opinion. You need a visionary who can see the potential and not be afraid of the naysayers, while bringing all the people to the table.
23. A mixture of integrity and a willingness to listen directly to what the people need.
24. Someone who doesn’t tie up the money for 20+ years and then the people that are in office after them are sitting ducks.
25. Integrity
26. My approach is appophatic; I automatically discard candidates whose greatest qualification is how much they believe in USAJesus, just like I don't do business with people who have crosses or fish on their business cards.
27. I view Jeffrey Bulls as a model citizen of Saginaw.
28. Someone who live in the community, not outside of it
29. Someone who shows up AND stays for events not just photo ops. I don’t like it when elected leaders make an “appearance” and leave. I know they can’t always stay for the entirety of an event. But there is a local person I have dubbed “leave early XXXX” because they show up, sign in and then leave asap at literally every event they attend. So it looks like they’re active but really they dip out of everything. Someone who listens to their ALL their constituents and is strong enough to stand firm when a vocal subset tries to bully them. Someone who understands and can explain that government is complex. The average person often doesn’t understand it can be complicated to get things done. This leads to unrealistic expectations. Someone who is a good leader and can command whatever room they are in. Someone passionate with motivational leadership so they can ignite their staff/followers to help in their mission. Every official needs a solid staff/volunteer team behind them, the leader can’t do everything. Someone accessible and responsive when contacted by constituents. Most importanly somone operates based off of their integrity and not their own personal agenda.
30. Someone that has actual business experience and understands the needs of local business in my forty years of doing business in the city that’s one of the biggest disappointments that I have had and if you don’t live in the city you have no say on what is important since we have no vote in the matter even though our lively hoods are dependent on the way the city is run
31. Puppet strings
32. Someone that enjoys pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, someone who isn’t into yoga, but is into champagne.
33. Clear, consistent communicator that has integrity. A curious learner and competent educator. Someone willing to call a duck a duck, but admit they were wrong when the duck was a goose. A visionary- able to see what could be.
34. Someone who participates and has the ability to really listen.
35. Someone who puts their agenda aside and puts their community first. Someone who works well with others and can represent the entire community, not just one spectrum.
36. Approachability, transparency & good follow through
37. Their belief in pro-life! I don't care if there's a janitor or the president if you have no problem killing innocent babies I don't want anything to do with you especially not making rules or enforcing them!
38. Professionalism and personable. Needs to be approachable and comfortable with thier constituents.
39. #1 Ambition: A candidate with ambition is likely to be motivated and driven to achieve community goals. Not just looking for a Job. 2. Effective communication is crucial in any role. 3. Confidence in one’s abilities suggests that the candidate is self-assured and can handle responsibilities. 4. Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze situations and make reasoned decisions. 5. Teamwork is essential, being able to work together will only benefit the people. 6. Self-motivated individuals are often more productive. 7. Being Honest with yourself and everyone you are supposed to be working for.
40. Someone who will actually debate the issues.
41. Honesty.
42. An active listener that can deliver results. Someone that holds themselves and the people around them accountable.
43. Professionalism in and out of the office
44. Someone that works for the people, not their party.
45. Experience in life outside of politics.
46. Constitutionalist Military Veteran
47. Someone who is going to push to give tax incentives to big businesses so that we can get large corporations interested in growing the community. Also someone that will fight for landlords because it seems like this city enjoys shitting on us with taxes, penalties, fines etc…
48. Being able to meet people where they are at and not just events that count for his/her/them campaign. In addition to not discrediting people’s experiences especially people of color’s experiences in predominantly white spaces. I think it’s great when people run for things in our communities but, they fall short due to the fact of lived experiences.
49. Someone who has realistic expectations of what is possible for the office they seek and not making big promises that may be outside the purview of the role/municipality. Someone who has an understanding on how government works (basic gov't structure, how laws passed, etc.) and is willing to learn what they don't know. Someone who makes themselves available to the public for questions and conservation, while understanding that they need to continue to be available if elected. Someone who knows the issues facing an elected body/government before election day and who will ask questions as well as educate themselves on the items they are voting on.
50. I’m looking for authenticity. I want someone who is genuine, honest, transparent, and consistent in their beliefs and actions. …who has integrity, a strong moral compass, and who prioritizes serving the public good over personal gain. …someone who can build trust through their actions and words, stay true to their values, listen to constituents, and who is accountable for their decisions. They should be approachable, relatable, and empathetic, able to connect with people on a human level rather than just through political rhetoric. They should be aware of issues and capable of articulating a reasoned agenda in a way that lifts and unites vs deepening divides.
51. Someone who listens to the majority, not the ones with large pocketbooks! Help solve the problems of the real world, not the ones that have the cash and want everything their way.
52. Awareness of issues. altruism. stewardship.
Your Take
What do YOU look for in someone running for local government? Leave your thoughts in comments: