It’s been a long year, obviously. It’s also been a very long political season. And now it’s been a long week. Before we put the election in the rearview mirror, and that seems unlikely to happen before this gets printed, we wanted to tip our hat to those who ran for office, particularly the ones who ran for local office.
For those of us who would never consider doing such a thing, the idea of pushing oneself out into the public in this way just seems foreign. One of the popular words today is privacy, as in we want more of it. Running for office is the antithesis of living a life in privacy or can be in that one is scrutinized in many ways.
And for most races, there is a real cost. There’s the actual dollar cost of running a campaign, and this can be significant. But no matter how small a race, chances are, the candidates spent money on themselves and had to ask money from others. That is not a comfortable place to be, but it can be necessary in a run for office.
But there are other costs. At its most basic, a campaign costs time and effort, which are commodities that, once aimed at a run for office are not aimed at other life pursuits.
And then there are emotional costs. We hear stories of the would-be politician whose enthusiasm is flagging and a significant other comes along to prop them up and send them out to battle again. Who would want to go out of their way to experience that?
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Newspapers are full of photographs of happy winners being hugged by family and friends and supporters in what has to be one of the most rewarding days of a life. And across the way, there are hugs and tears for the losers as well in what has to be among the sadder days. And so many times, both candidates would be equally acceptable to fill the position they are seeking.
And what is in it for them? They will not get rich filling these positions. They may be more recognized, but local politics is not an avenue to fame. If what they have done is noticed, it can more easily be for something they are criticized for than for some good vote they cast. And if it all goes to hell in a hand basket, it’s usually their fault. The word “thankless” comes to mind.
And yet, we don’t know where we would be without these individuals. Perhaps it started with someone at work or church urging them to run for office. Or they see a problem in their neighborhood that, despite their efforts, is never addressed.
But however they got into office or tried to get into office, they are the embodiment of the American experiment. Thanks and congratulations to both the winners and the losers. We admire your courage and your leadership and for making us better.