Who should run for office? You?

Hello, we are Heidi Hill and Christine Brown, co-chairs of the Benton County Democrats Election Committee.
 

Our current political climate has resulted in renewed interest for citizen involvement.  Have you considered running for an elected office or being an active campaign worker? Given that it is our goal to support candidates in as many offices as possible, we are going to need a lot of volunteers.  We are going to need your time, your talent and your money. It’s how it’s done. The time is now to learn what that involves and to make your plan.
 

2017 POSITIONS
First, what positions are up for election in 2017?   Most are non-partisan, meaning the focus is on the issues of the job and not whether you are Democrat, Republican, etc.  These positions include city council, school board, port district, hospital district and fire districts.  All of these positions are an excellent way to get involved in your local government.  Two exceptions to the nonpartisan races include Benton County Treasurer and Sheriff.
You can find a complete listing of positions up for election in the 2017 cycle here:

https://www.bentonelections.com/candidates

The Benton County Auditors website is full of basic election information including filing fees, basic requirements to run for office and links to other important sites.  The auditor is preparing a packet for elections; it is not available at the sending of this email. You will definitely want to be familiar with this information.
Also note that when you file, publicly announce a candidacy or begin raising money, you must file with the PDC. Please see: PDC.wa.gov for more information.

2017 ELECTION DATES
Election cycles are built around dates, and the first important date is the filing period.   This year it is May 15th through 20th, 2017.  You can file online.
 

A full calendar of election dates can be found at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/calendar_list.aspx?y=2017
 

Also, it is not too early to think about running for a partisan position coming up in 2018...a state representative position of the 8th or 16th Legislative Districts or for Congress in the 4th Congressional District.
 

At a future date, all candidates will be invited to appear before Democratic leadership and Precinct Committee Officers to request support by the party.
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CANDIDATE/WORKER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

 

Ready to Run: Pasco!  Sponsored by Amplify
April 29th 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Local 598, 1328 N. 28th Ave. Pasco, WA
Sign up at:  actionnetwork.org/events/ready-to-run-yakima
Cost $20.00 (includes lunch)
 

Camp Wellstone - Seattle
May 19-21, 2017
Training is provided by some of the nation's leading experts in four different tracks: grassroots organizer, campaign workers, candidates, movement technology. Deadline to apply for this is April 12th.
Cost: $450 plus hotel & transportation
wellstone.org

Online Links for Training:
cms.democracyforamerica.com (Night School) *video tutorials  (Really rich resource, no charge)
www.traindemocrats.org
Candidatebootcamp.com
Thecampaignworkshop.com
Emilyslist.org
Emergeamerica.org
Sheshouldrun.org
 

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP FOR CAMPAIGN WORKERS AND POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
offered by Benton County Democrats
Monday, April 24th, 2017
6:00-8:00 Local Candidates Panel
Location: Local 598, 1328 N. 28th Ave. Pasco, WA
 

If you are thinking of running, please attend. Please bring your spouse, partners, and potential members of your support team.
 

The Benton County Democrats organization is committed to recruiting and training candidates and campaign workers.  This 2 hour session will provide discussion on these topics:
 

1. What are the primary job duties of a city council member, school board member and port district commissioner.
 

2. What are the basics of running for office - costs, time commitments, fundraising, collecting good volunteers, preparing a campaign plan
 

3. Hear directly from people who've run for elected office.  How much of their own money did they spend, on what, best way to get your name and message out there and what's it really like to run for office.  You'll have a chance to talk with people who've run for office in the past, to learn from their hindsight and success. 
 

Confirmed Presenters at time of writing include:
Angie Tyree
Jay Clough
Carol Moser
Doug McKinley
Dori Luzzo Gilmour
Tom Moak
Rebecca Francik
 

Participation is free.  Campaign workers/volunteers are encouraged to attend this workshop as well.   We need to know how many to expect, please respond back to this email with your name, phone number, and which office you are interested in running for.
 

Here’s the Facebook link to the Introductory Workshop Event. Click here.
 

Elected officials should reflect their constituency.  We encourage people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, religious ideologies, sexual orientation, male and female to consider representing Benton County. 
 

In solidarity,
Heidi Hill
Christine Brown