Considering running for state or local office

[cclark501]

I've been looking into and considering running for local or state office in 2014. I consider myself a Leninist but am open to other views in the communist movement and I live in the Kansas City, KS area so if I ran for state office I would be running in the KC metro area. I could use any advice or support you can offer, any contacts with organizations or political parties interested in supporting me.

Also I know I probably have a better chance of being killed then being elected haha, but I'm not afraid of being killed and if they did it would hopefully build interest and support for the movement.

[ellipsis]

I don't think I'm allowed to refer you to a person who has personal experience in this regard...

[ellipsis]

In all seriousness, maybe you could run as psl, they run candidates all of the time.

[Fourth Internationalist]

Run as a republican and then say you're a commie :)

[cclark501]

Run as a republican and then say you're a commie :)

that would be great! most of the people in kansas don't look beyond the R at the end of the name. I could just say I am a red and they would think i was a republican haha

[cclark501]

In all seriousness, maybe you could run as psl, they run candidates all of the time.

The psl might support me I just emailed them a couple of days ago but haven't heard back. I've also heard the green party might support me but not mess with my platform that much

[Q]

You can do a mindfuck and run as a democratic republican ;)

Anyway, you have to consider what your goals are: If you want to get elected, then running as a communist is a clear no-go. If, however, you want to run as a communist for propaganda reasons, to spread the communist message, then running in elections is indeed a good idea as elections are exactly one of those rare moments in capitalist society when the general population actually get involved in high politics.

In both cases you need a lot of money and manpower to run.

[feeLtheLove]

I agree with the above.

I don't think directly saying you're a Communist is the best way to win. Especially in Kansas ;)

[cclark501]

Yea I am not planning on saying I am a communist from the beginning but with my stance on the issues I am sure I will be labled it very quickly and I won't deny it. I think my main goal is to help spread the communist message even if I know it will keep me from winning in that election.

[MarxSchmarx]

Also I know I probably have a better chance of being killed then being elected haha, but I'm not afraid of being killed and if they did it would hopefully build interest and support for the movement.

Trust me you are not that important.

[Positivist]

I'd say your best option is to gain the support of the green party, and then simply run as a pro-labor candidate. Emphasize the virtues of hard work and determination that voters usually associate with entrepreneurs but project it onto the working class instead and it is possible that you could gain some influence depending on where you are from. As for handling accusations of being a communist, simply don't respond to them as if responding to these attempts at slander are not even worth a response.

I've studied a lot about voting trends so pm me if you want any advice.

[cclark501]

Trust me you are not that important.

Haha I know but never underestimate crazy right wingers in Kansas.