State and Federal Government starts at the Local Level

[Laurie Olmon]

A change needs to take place in America's government. The decision making pyramid has been turn upside down. Our federal and state government is making the decisions and many of those decisions need to be returned to the local level. The only change that can make this happen is to add women to the local level!!!!

Quick Facts:

Of 2,248 public school board members in Minnesota, 845 (37.6%) are women.

Of 3,554 total city council members in Minnesota, 999 (28.1%) are women.

Of 854 mayors in Minnesota, 113 (13.2%) are women.

Of 447 county commissioners in Minnesota, 52 (11.4%) are women.

Office on the Economic Status of Women, Women in Elected Office of Local Governments in Minnesota, 2007.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[Nisrin Martin]

Hi,

I would like to run for State Representative of my district, however I live in a suburb of Chicago where Democratic candidates are preselected by a select few. The incumbent has held the office for 22+years and is a crony of the "select" few. I on the other hand am an intelligent, articulate, educated and self-motivated mother of four who took the last 14 years off to raise her young children. Now I would like to pursue my life-long ambition to run for public office and bring about real change in my community. People are fed up with all the corruption that has been going on. But I am worried, do I have a chance? If so, where do I begin? Is my stay-at-home mom background a hindrance? Even though I have read extensively on public policy, foreign policy, urban reform, welfare reform, economic policy, and much more and am well versed in local politics, and am an articulate and motivated speaker? I would love to hear your views and opinions on the matter and hope to hear from you soon.

[Laurie Olmon]

Nisrin,
I think its great that you want to bring change to your community. The biggest thing is going to be your campaign, volunteers, support and unfortunately, most of all money. Your "mom" background is not a hindrince....speak to Jen Peterson - she ran for City Council of Cottage Grove, MN on that very platform. What you may think is a weakness, others may see as a fresh start, a new voice, and a great way to get their voice heard. If you have been involved in volunteer jobs, the PTA, any time of volunteer work, use it! Also, start going to every seniors meeting, mom's meeting, schoolboard meeting, etc that you can think of. But talk to Jen, she is a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Good luck!!! Also start tugging on the ears of those women that are elected to office in your area. From the School Board, Park Board, City Council, on up....get their advice also.