ACLR 020: How to Run For Political Office with Dan Saltzman

How do you run for a political office? What are the differences between running for local, state, or federal office? What makes a good politician? Is that different from what makes a good political candidate?

What should you consider when considering running for political office? How does an introvert become a successful politician? What do political insiders look for when assessing who might be a successful political candidate?

Who is Dan Saltzman?

Currently serving his fifth term as a Portland City Commissioner, and has been Commissioner in Charge of 11 city bureaus.

Public servant for nearly 25 years.

Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, and M.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Worked for many years in the private sector as the principal in an environmental engineering firm.

Served as staff assistant to Congressman (now Senator) Ron Wyden.

Led the campaign for a voter-approved Portland Children’s Levy fund that pays for abuse prevention and other child programs.

Established The Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services.

Led campaign as the Housing Bureau director for a $258 million bond to tackle affordable housing.

What will you learn?

What a political “stress test” looks like.

How long it takes to be a “somebody” in federal politics.

The ways that running for office influence how decisions are made once in office.

Why Dan thinks that women often make better politicians.

What an average day in local politics looks like.

How to be a good listener, and how to spot a good listener.

Curious questions.

What is the very first thing I should do if I’m interested in running for office?

What should people think about the actual job of politics versus to idea of being a revered politician?

How do you fundraise?

Do American’s value ambition in women leaders in the same way they value ambition in men?

What advice can you expect to get from a political consultant?

Do constituents understand the roles of different political positions.

What’s the best idea that you never considered?

How do you measure the effectiveness of programs you support?

If you could change one law, what would it be?

Links and resources:

Portland Children’s Levy

The Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services

The Miracles Club

Portland Auditor’s Office

Federal Election Commission (who donates to what)

Open Secrets (more donator information)

Thanks for Listening!

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Special thanks to Dan for joining me this week. Until next time!