Could I Run For Congress?

[sent]

I work in healthcare and am horrified at the way our money goes through the private insurance system. I'm an orthodontist, I don't even deal with the worst of the insurance horrors but I see a lot of denials from medical insurance in a very critical part of my work. The only way I can even think of to make a difference to force insurance companies to not be literal death panels is to run for Congress as a representative and go from there.

I've been thinking about this since the George Santos drama. Recently there was some local politics where I learned that insurance companies have carte blanche to raise their premiums for the teacher's union which in turns directly raises our already 5 digit property taxes and this got me thinking some more. Turns out there is a colleague from Arizona trying to get on the ballot for next fall. I also know another colleague whose husband ran during COVID but lost. These are both D candidates. 

I feel like I'd have to plan this out. I'm 43. I have no political experience and my only leadership is a PTO position in the school. Looks like my current rep is Bonnie Watson, 78 years old, won in 2015 when the previous guy didn't run again. Humor me if this is worthwhile and possible.

PDQ. If I realize this was just all dumb, it doesn't need to be out there haha.

[maudefindlay]

I'd vote for you! That said are you involved with your local Democratic Party? Contact their headquarters to see when they meet and you will figure out who would be good connections for you to have. That could be your starting point. I know our local Democratic Party would back the hell out of anyone wanting to run. We had several positions go unopposed locally because only an R ran.

[fortnightlily]

Why not?

Check out runforsomething.net, and, if you are pro-choice, emilyslist.org.

[Velar Fricative]

I'm familiar with your current Rep and I don't think she's going anywhere until she has to. And she's a D too. If she were an R I'd say go for it.

A former colleague ran as a D for her local House seat in NY in 2018 against an R guy who had been in office since the 90s. She lost, but he got the lowest percentage of votes since his very first election and eventually retired. So she thought it was totally worth it despite the loss. AND, she was successful in getting the FEC to allow candidates to use federal campaign funds for childcare needed during campaigns.

Until your Rep retires, I'd see what you can do in terms of communicating/helping with her office since she's currently your direct line to the House. Maybe look into local/state office in the meantime that may influence the issues you're most passionate about (although I know a lot of what you mentioned is federal).

[penguingrrl]

I would start by getting involved at the local level, either town politics or county-wide. That will start bringing name recognition as well as letting you see what running for office and serving in office is really like.

Bonnie Watson Coleman is absolutely amazing and is highly involved state-wide, not even just in her district, so I would see how you can get involved and maybe learn from her.

[fortnightlily]

If you are part of any professional organizations you could also try to get involved in writing opinion pieces for industry journals, lobbying efforts, etc.

[minzy]

I think we need more people with science/medical degrees in office! I’d highly recommend reading the book Somebody’s Gotta Do It by Adrienne Martini.
www.thriftbooks.com/w/somebodys-gotta-do-it-because-civilization-wont-save-itself-and-other-truths-about-democracy-i-learned-by-winning-a-lowly-local-office_adrienne-martini/21715740/#edition=23197654&idiq=36934273

[agnes]

Did Katie Porter hold any elected positions before congress?

[wildrice]

You definitely could! If that's more than you want to do, I would look into advocacy opportunities. This is not my area of expertise, but my work organization does a lot of advocacy and we often have medical providers testify or otherwise share their experiences when advocating for various policies. My agency is in the medical/dental field so hopefully this advice is somewhat relevant!

[eport]

I also suggest She Should Run-nonprofit whose goal is to get women to run for office. They have classes, an online community willing to answer questions, plus networking. SheShouldRun.org

Also take a look at your local party. Mine has a local group for the county and an additional women specific group. Reaching out to them would connect you to people who can connect you to fundraisers, campaign staff,etc.

I've generally found that people are very supportive of those who want to run and willing to put in the work to do so. I've been a part of a local mothers' group (we raise funds for charity) and looking at the current members, plus alumni we now have me (Library board), a former member of the parks board, a former member on the city council, and a state representative.

My current US congressional rep is a former scientist. He used to work for a Department of Energy laboratory. One time he mentioned just how few scientists are in Congress and that we need more than just lawyers running. My former rep (districts changed) is Lauren Underwood, a nurse who ran and won for Congress. Follow her and possibly reach out too, she's awesome). She would be a good example/mentor of a medical person running for office.

[bee20]

I am close with someone who ran for state legislature and lost narrowly. I was sorta surprised how much pure fundraising is done, although I guess I shouldn't have been.  They did have some help from the local democratic party although it was a lot of friends and family volunteering to get the grassroots stuff going.

Looking at your representative I checked who was the previous D seat who appears to be now retired. He was a Princeton scientist and maybe is someone to reach out to for an honest conversation about nontraditional backgrounds and the path.

Regarding fundraising, from his wikipedia page on the 2010 election: Holt raised $2,229,432 in the 2010 election cycle and spent $1,891,463. 72% came from individual donations, and 26% from PAC donations. Holt's former employer, Princeton University, was his single biggest donor, giving $56,863. Holt's opponent, Scott Sipprelle, raised $1,541,776 and spent $1,327,946. 65% of Sipprelle's funds came from self-financing''

Just let it sink in that the R opponent spent almost a million dollars of their own money to lose an election. 

[sent]

Jun 13, 2023 14:42:08 GMT -5 bee20 said:

Just let it sink in that the R opponent spent almost a million dollars of their own money to lose an election.  

Yikes, I don't have that much to even spend on myself! I'm sure this area is competitive and full of money. 

Thank you everyone. I'll look into the resources you all posted and linked as well as some info from our trade organization on lobbying and issues in DC. I'm trying to figure out "what's next" on my career/life trajectory and where I should start focusing my efforts. I have a few ideas in mind but this is probably the craziest one.

[livinitup]

Of course you can. Is there any local elected officials you would want to volunteer or raise money, so you can get to know the players? How can you best raise money in 2 years, 5 years - for yourself or others? If you smash the corrupt insurance system what OTHER systems would align with your goals? How would you get to know them over the next 2 years?

[fortnightlily]

Sadly, that from what I gather from AOC running for Congress and even once you're elected it feels like your primary job is to fundraise for yourself or the party, secondary job is to set and enact policy :/

[sofamonkey]

I agree with PP to At said start local. Also, if you have a local Emerge chapter, they also help women prep for office runs. Being prepared is your main key to success, but I think you’d do very well.

[mrsslocombe]

Also look into Democratic Socialists of America and Working Families Party-they are your best bets if you are going to be challenging a D incumbent in a safe district.

agnes, Katie Porter did not hold elected office prior to the House. But she had interned for Chuck Grassley, studied under Elizabeth Warren, and been appointed in California for political jobs, so she had a network and some background in government.

There are definitely representatives who are elected with no background in politics BUT there's a lot of factors at play. Who the incumbent is, what networks you can tap into for support and money, typical turnout in the district and what untapped population can you motivate, ability to get local media coverage, etc.

Senate campaigns are insane amounts of money, and you need state-wide support but honestly Bob Menendez seems like more of a target than your rep. How that corrupt asshole has survived this long...

[thejen626]

Yes you should run!! BUT! Start local. School board or city council. I went through the Emerge program in 2019 and ran for office in 2020! Happy to chat if you’d like.

[thejen626]

Also - if your current rep is 78… email her and ask for a meeting. She might already have her successor picked out, or she might not. But that’s how all of the female politicians that I personally know, got themselves elected. I’m friends with a Governor, Secretary of State, several State Reps and Senators, and a few Mayors.

[jackie011]

A friend ran for city council a few years ago and came within 200 votes of the popular incumbent. She’s clearly planning to run again, based on her carefully curated social media posts. She’s (a non-practicing) an attorney with a lot of local political connections, so she’s been laying the ground work for a while. I know she’s been working with some other local candidates, so building a network and getting her name out there. If you’re serious, I’m sure there are resources and FB groups out there to help you get started. It may be a long game.

[krystee]

I recommend reaching out to the association(s) serving your profession and seeing how you can help. I am almost positive they will have an advocacy team and you could volunteer with them to promote your message to Congress. For example, they might do Hill Days where members of the association meet with members of Congress to discuss why their issues are so important, and which bills to support or not support. Or they might do social campaigns or draft a letter that they want their members to send to their Congresspeople.

[erbear]

My college roommate has run for office in NJ twice. You really need to start getting your name in with the local Democratic party -- it's very hard to win elections without the party money and support.

[Michelle]

I follow this woman on tiktok: jessicaandersonforva.com/

I'm sure she has an instagram handle too. I started following her when she was just some funny mother of 3 with fewer than 100k followers. Over time she has gotten more and more interested in political issues and felt called to serve.

You can see how much she has to focus on fundraising so all the above comments are right. You'll have to get comfortable with that. And the as for other recommendations - getting some experience at the local level will only help you. I love the above poster who said to get to know people you'd want to succeed - that is the best way to get introduced to all their connections and those will be needed to help with fundraising and coalition building.

Good luck, and thank you for considering it!

[litebright]

Jun 13, 2023 12:04:29 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

If you are part of any professional organizations you could also try to get involved in writing opinion pieces for industry journals, lobbying efforts, etc.

I think this is important. Trade organizations are always looking for people "on the ground" in their industry that they can have visit Washington during "Insert Specific Industry Week", speak at events, testify before Congress, speak with Congressional aides, etc. Who can talk realistically and practically and intelligently about the challenges and who are good at communicating and really illustrating problems and potential solutions. 

You can have a big influence on issues, even without running for office, if you make some connections with an existing lobbying organization who is working toward the kind of goals you would like to see, and who could help amplify your voice. You'd also make connections that could help if you decide you do want to run for office.