Participating in your state political process can put you in a position to help the chiropractic profession from within

With several states adopting term limits, there are more opportunities for people without political training and experience to run for elective office. Chiropractic associations wanting to influence state legislatures find it easier to support one of their own for office than attempt to change the minds of candidates.

At times, newly elected legislators have reservations about information from lobbyists because they have not developed the long-term trust relationships that exist between legislators and lobbyists during the pre-term limits era. Having chiropractors as state legislators can bring political benefits to the profession. Legislators are more willing to trust fellow legislators rather than lobbyists or constituents with obvious agendas. Unique friendships between legislators develop over shared experiences of learning the legislative process together. If the elected chiropractor is smart, friendly, and honorable, other legislators will trust the information received and will develop an overall positive image of the profession.

The Eight-Step Program
The downside to using candidate development as part of a political strategy is that preparing to run for office can take many years. Here are eight steps you can take to run for legislative office:

1) Make sure your party registration matches the political inclination of your state assembly or senate district.
If you want to be elected, you must be registered as either a Democrat or Republican, as third party candidates are rarely taken seriously. If you are a Republican living in an area where the City Council, the Board of Supervisors, State Senator, and State Assembly Member are all Democrats, consider relocating to another area. It is useless to spend the time and effort necessary to get elected if the district will never support a candidate from your party. Your state chiropractic association should be able to assist in determining the feasibility of someone from your party affiliation being elected to represent your area.

2) Become active in your community.
If you plan to run for office, then you are most likely already active in your local and state chiropractic associations. However, there are several other activities where you can meet the leaders of your community: 1) join the civic organizations in your area; 2) become active on volunteer boards and commissions; 3) volunteer for your child’s school; 4) join the neighborhood association; 5) get on the legislative committee of the local chamber of commerce; 6) if you have a hobby, join an association of other enthusiasts; and 7) become active in your political party.

Choose volunteer positions that offer the most exposure to organizations and individuals who can support your future campaign. Also, choose duties that allow others to see you as a leader in your area. Focus on organizations active in the political process, such as your local chamber of commerce. Your family should also be active in organizations that represent their interests in the legislature. For example, if your spouse is a teacher, make sure he or she is a member of the California Teacher’s Association.

Organizations like these will be more likely to financially back a candidate who is sympathetic to their issues. Demonstrate you understand important issues by showing them your connection to their profession.

3) Help elect others.
Through your volunteer work, you will come in contact with several people interested in running for state assembly or senate. Choose a person who has a decent chance of winning and help get them elected by making a significant personal contribution, organizing chiropractors in the district to volunteer, or raising money for the campaign. By campaigning for as many people as possible, you will develop a strong, personal relationship with legislators who will remember your efforts on their behalf, and you will also gain significant campaign experience and skills needed to be a successful candidate.

4) Pay attention to local politics.
Read the local newspaper and get to know the political players in your community. Decide which entry level elected position you wish to run for, and then find out who is in line for that seat in the political hierarchy. Identify the personality and ideological divisions within your local political party, and be careful to not become too closely aligned with either side.

5) Become comfortable with public speaking.
Public speaking is one of the most common fears. To develop the skills needed to be an effective communicator, inquire if your community has a club where professionals from all fields can practice their public speaking skills. Another informal way is forcing yourself to take every opportunity to speak in a public forum. For example, at the next wedding you attend, prepare a speech or toast, or while attending a party, publicly thank your hosts. If you have a serious problem with public speaking, you should consider taking a class. Most colleges offer a semester course for much less than it costs to hire a professional coach.

6) Run in a local election.
Once you have completed all of the steps listed above, run for the school board, city council, or board of supervisors. Begin raising money about a year before election day by asking everyone you know for support. Do not forget people with whom you do business, such as your hairstylist, favorite restaurant owner, and veterinarian. If you live in a moderate district where both Democrats and Republicans have been elected, you will need to raise significantly more money. For your first race, you may want to consider hiring a professional campaign manager.

Find campaign volunteers at the local high school or college. The experience will help students learn about the political process while providing you with free labor. After you are elected, engage in lively debates with opponents, but do not make enemies. Focus your attention on making a positive impact for your community on high profile issues such as education, health care, or crime. Remember that your accomplishments in this job will be used in your next campaign either by you or your opponent. An important part of politics is helping others who, in turn, can help you someday.

7) Keep a high profile.
Once you are elected, do not become complacent. Make sure you attend as many charity events as you can. Seek out mixers sponsored by the local chamber of commerce, women’s organizations, and minority groups. Go to every community event in your area. These are the most active people in your community who can provide financial or volunteer support for your next campaign.

8) Run for state assembly or senate.
Before running, hire a political consultant to discuss timing. Under most circumstances, you will not want to run against an incumbent. Find out when the incumbent plans to leave office or when they are termed out. Consultants can also help pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and improve these areas. They can also help you craft a message that voters want to hear.

Running for office is a difficult task that can take a long time. However, the rewards for yourself and your profession are immeasurable. Incidentally, this is also good advice if you plan on eventually running for a statewide position such as Governor, or for Congress. Regardless of your goals, these steps will help you develop the skills to be an effective leader in your community. CP

Kristine Shultz is director of governmental affairs for the California Chiropractic Association and is responsible for implementing legislative and political programs. She can be reached at 916-648-2727 ext 130, or via email: kshultz@calchiro.org.