How to Run for Political Office: A Primer for Midwives and Other Nontraditional Candidates

Service in public office is a laudatory civic activity, and nontraditional candidates such as midwives have much to offer in this role. Newcomers to the political process benefit from basic information about how to run a campaign, raise money, utilize effective messaging, deal with political attacks, and seek endorsements and other campaign support. Midwives encounter ethical and legal implications specific to their position of trust as health care providers. In order to demystify the campaign process for novices, this practical guide to the basics of running for local office has been extrapolated from the experience of one midwife candidate in order to decrease potential barriers to others’ political engagement and political ambition.