Welcome. This space is for getting to know each other. Drop a short intro so the rest of the community knows who you are and what you're working on.
Copy the template below, paste it into a new post, and fill in your own answers. Reply to people who introduce themselves — we learn from each other.
Hi, I'm [Your Name]. I'm running for [Office] in [District / Ward], [Town/City], [State], [County].
Background: [One sentence — your job, your neighborhood, what makes you you.]
Where I think I need the most help: [One sentence on the part of running that scares you, or the area you know least.]
Family: [Spouse, kids, dogs — whoever's in your corner.]
Why I'm running: [Optional. One short paragraph if you have it figured out, or "still figuring it out" — that's fine too. You'll have a clearer answer by Day 30 of the First 30 Days course.]
Something fun: [Favorite movie, book, song — anything that tells people about you that isn't about politics.]
— Craig
Hi, I'm Craig. I'm running for Commissioner in Mt Lebanon's 4th Ward, a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA in Allegheny County.
Background: Two-time elected local commissioner and a campaign professional — I've spent over a decade helping candidates at every level of office win their races, and I run Campaign Planner to scale that work to first-time candidates everywhere.
Where I think I need the most help: Saying no to people who want something. Running for office means everyone has an ask — and "yes" is a habit that'll bury you fast.
Family: Married, two kids — one in high school, one in middle school. I also coach the local youth wrestling program, so a lot of my nights and weekends are at the mat.
Why I'm running: Same reason as the first time. Local government works when people communicate — when elected officials actually talk to their residents and listen. Most local governments don't do it well, and the gap between a vibrant, engaged community and one where neighbors distrust each other and their officials usually comes down to who's in the seat and how they talk to people. On this seat I focus on what we can actually change here: communication, government accountability, and public safety. National hot-takes belong with your state or federal reps — I'll happily connect you. But here, this is what we work on.
Something fun: Favorite movie is Dazed and Confused. Favorite book is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie — required reading for anyone running for office.