Things That Candidate's Say and Do That They Probably Shouldn't

You may have guessed by now that The Hamiltonian's Before the Ballot – The Candidate's Guide has a deliberate purpose behind it.

I recognize that incumbents enjoy a significant advantage over first-time candidates. 

That imbalance has never sat particularly well with me, nor had it with Teresa. 

The Candidate's Guide is a small attempt to help level the playing field. If you are running for office for the first time, I genuinely believe it may become one of the most valuable resources you encounter during your campaign.

But let's leave the formal tips and advice to the series itself.

Instead, allow me to share a few observations from behind the curtain. These are things people tell us, submit to us, or do during campaigns that often reveal more than they realize.

In no particular order...

"I am not a politician. I'm just an ordinary person."

I hear this all the time.

Now, I am not suggesting that statement is right or wrong. In fact, voters often appreciate authenticity. But there is a subtle risk hidden within that message.

The people who win elections are rarely "just ordinary people." They are people who learn how campaigns work. They build support networks. They develop effective materials. They knock on doors. They organize volunteers. They communicate a clear message. In short, they do the work required to run a serious campaign.

Sometimes, declaring that you are "not a politician" can unintentionally signal that you are not prepared to compete. If that message is part of your campaign, weave it carefully into a larger narrative about competence, preparation, and leadership.

Another observation.

Some candidates submit materials containing spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, blurry photographs, outdated information, or other issues that could have been easily corrected before publication.

Occasionally, they ask us to fix everything for them. We don’t do that. 

Sometimes, they discover after publication that information they provided was inaccurate and ask us to quietly edit the original article.

We do not do that.

If a correction is warranted, we will happily publish a linked correction. However, we do not rewrite history by altering the original submission.

When candidates repeatedly make these types of mistakes, it raises a simple question: if you cannot carefully manage your own campaign materials, how will voters feel about trusting you with public responsibilities?

Even email addresses tell a story.

As a candidate, you can choose almost any email address you wish. Choose one that sounds professional, credible, and appropriate for someone seeking public office.

In your election materials, resist the temptation to stretch the truth. Half-truths, omissions, exaggerations, and carefully crafted impressions may seem harmless in the short term. They are not.

Public office is built on trust. If voters discover that you have been less than forthcoming before you are elected, why should they trust you after you are elected?

Lastly, be careful not to fall into the social media trap.

It could very well be that your latest media release, interview, video, or Facebook post is generating plenty of attention. Perhaps the comments are rolling in, the shares are climbing, and the numbers look impressive. It may even feel like your campaign is on fire.

That's wonderful.

But don't confuse attention with votes.

One of the greatest dangers in modern campaigning is developing a false sense of security from social media engagement. Likes are not votes. Shares are not votes. Comments are not votes.

Social media can be a powerful tool. It can amplify a message. It can create momentum. It can help introduce you to voters.

But elections are not won from behind a keyboard.

They are won on doorsteps, at community events, over coffee, through phone calls, and by earning the confidence of real people, one conversation at a time.

Enough musings for now.

Until next time.

Cal