•October 16, 2019•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

You might have been asked recently to sign a petition to put a candidate on the ballot in 2020.
It’s that season and, though a truism, if good people don’t run for office, democracy doesn’t work. You ought to try running. Here’s how.
First, my bona fides: In the 1960s and 70s, I ran for office four times, three times for the state Legislature and once for state office. I came away with a .500 batting average, losing my bid for lte guv by a hair. Not bad, when you consider A. Lincoln also had the same average in his several bids for office.
Later I managed the campaigns for the U.S. Senate (Charles Percy, 1978, successful) and a presidential aspirant (John B. Anderson, 1980, unsuccessful, but interesting). So, I know just enough about running to be dangerous.
A brilliant strategist, Mr. Lincoln said the job of running was simple: Canvass your territory; that is, travel and get to know your district; identify your voters, and get them to the polls.
The game hasn’t changed a whit, though the technology has, obviously.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.