Why Running for Local Elective Office Matters: A Deep Look at Leadership, Service, and Civic Impact

Local elected offices include roles such as city council member, school board trustee, county commissioner, township supervisor, village trustee, mayor, and more. These roles may not grab national headlines, but their impact changes lives. Local governments manage:

• Public Infrastructure – Roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, and water systems.  
• Education Oversight – Through school boards, which influence curriculum, teacher contracts, and budgets.
• Public Safety – Including police, fire, EMS, and emergency preparedness funding and policy.
• Zoning and Land Use – Approving new housing developments, parks, or commercial construction.  
• Public Health – Managing public clinics, pandemic responses, and access to services.  
• Community Development – Investing in business districts, senior centers, and recreational programs.

Local governments typically control about 25% of taxpayer dollars, depending on the community and structure. They determine how those funds are spent and which priorities take precedence. This means that those who serve in local office have a direct say in the daily quality of life experienced by their neighbors.

Why More People Should Run and Who Should Consider It
The accessibility of local office is one of its greatest strengths. Unlike federal or even state positions, many local offices are part-time and often nonpartisan. This opens the door for a broad cross-section of residents. Parents, small business owners, teachers, retirees, community organizers, and young professionals should consider stepping into public service.

People who run for local office often do so because they want to fix a problem or represent a voice that’s gone unheard. They may be concerned about:

• A lack of resources in local schools.  
• Inadequate infrastructure in older neighborhoods.  
• The need for more mental health services.  
• Equity in public safety or housing decisions.
• Supporting local businesses through smart economic policies.  

You don’t need to be a lawyer, a politician, or a policy wonk to run. What you need is a commitment to listen, a drive to serve, and the ability to make decisions with integrity.

Local government thrives when people with lived experience bring their perspectives into the room. Parents understand what families need. Entrepreneurs understand how to navigate bureaucracy. Nurses understand the pressure points in public health systems. These perspectives are not just helpful. They’re essential.

Local Office as a Launchpad for Higher Leadership
History shows that some of the most well-known and influential leaders in American politics got their start in local office. President Barack Obama began his career as a community organizer before becoming a state senator. Vice President Kamala Harris was a district attorney and then California’s Attorney General. Countless governors, senators, and congressional leaders started in city councils or school boards.  

This isn't just a coincidence. It’s a reflection of how vital local experience is in building real, grounded leadership.

Local office:

• Builds Policy Expertise – Officeholders learn the real-world consequences of budget decisions, ordinances, and regulations.  
• Develops Constituent Relationships – Leaders practice the art of listening, responding, and earning trust across diverse groups.  
• Creates a Record of Service – Candidates for higher office often point to their local track record to show competence and dedication.  
• Expands Professional Networks – Through collaborations with state agencies, nonprofits, and advocacy groups.  
• Trains Crisis Leadership – Whether through natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic downturns, local leaders face real-time crises that require calm, data-driven responses.

Local service is often the proving ground for higher office because it tests a person’s values, communication skills, and judgment, without the insulation of a large staff or national spotlight. It’s here where leaders learn how to build coalitions, work through disagreement, and produce measurable results.

What Kind of Leaders Should Serve in Local Office?

The most effective local officeholders share a few key traits:

1. Community-Driven and Grounded A good local leader is deeply connected to their community. They attend school board meetings, participate in neighborhood cleanups, and know the names of business owners and nonprofit leaders. They don’t govern from a distance—they govern from within.  
2. Collaborative and Open-Minded Local government is rarely glamorous, and compromise is the name of the game. Leaders must work with people who don’t agree with them and represent constituents they’ve never met. The ability to work across divides and prioritize shared interests over personal ideology is essential.  
3. Transparent and Accountable In small towns and big cities alike, trust in government is fragile. Transparency about budgets, processes, and decisions is critical. Leaders who can explain the “why” behind their vote and invite input from the public help restore that trust.  
4. Ethical and Courageous Small-town politics can be just as fraught with conflicts of interest and insider pressure as national politics. A strong ethical compass is crucial. Leaders must be able to say “no” to bad deals, resist cronyism, and prioritize the long-term good over short-term gain.  
5. Resilient and Adaptive Running and serving can be difficult, especially for first-time candidates or those from underrepresented backgrounds. Leaders must be resilient in the face of criticism, adaptable when plans change, and committed even when the work is hard or thankless.

Overcoming the Barriers to Entry Despite the need for different in local office, many potential candidates are discouraged by misconceptions:  

“I’m not qualified.”
If you care about your community, are willing to learn, and can represent others with integrity, you’re qualified. Training programs exist to help you understand budgeting, policy, and parliamentary procedure.  

“I don’t have the money.”
Most local races require minimal fundraising, and many are decided with just a few hundred votes. Smart organizing, door-knocking, and community outreach matter more than dollars in most races.  

“I don’t know where to start.”
Local election boards, civic engagement nonprofits, and political organizations often offer resources to help first-time candidates. Leadership programs, like Empowered to Lead, exist for exactly this reason. 

Why Now Is the Time
At a moment when national politics feels polarized, performative, and disconnected from the needs of everyday people, local government remains the place where pragmatic, values-based leadership can truly make a difference.

Whether it’s funding after-school programs, addressing potholes, approving inclusive zoning plans, or reforming how policing works in your town, real change begins at the local level.  

Running for office is not about ego or attention. It’s about stepping into a gap where your skills, voice, and vision are needed. It's about recognizing that democracy is not a spectator sport. It’s participatory. And it's about building a future shaped by those who care enough to lead with integrity and courage.  

Final Thoughts
Running for local elective office is one of the most direct, powerful ways to serve your community and shape public life. It’s not only a path of service. It’s a training ground for greater leadership.

The work is real, the challenges are tangible, and the rewards, like better schools, safer neighborhoods, stronger local economies, are lasting.  

If you’ve ever thought, “Someone should fix this,” or “This doesn’t represent me,” maybe that someone is you.  

Call to Action: If you’re ready to learn more about how to run for local office or support someone who is, visit Empowered to Lead, a resource for first-time candidates seeking the tools, strategy, and community support they need to lead with purpose.