Running (for office) in summer heat not for the faint of heart

By Cliff McCollum
Posted 8/26/16

Looking at this week’s municipal elections, I find myself in awe of all of the candidates who were able to put themselves out there and run for office.

In our current environment, anyone who is …

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Running (for office) in summer heat not for the faint of heart

Posted

Looking at this week’s municipal elections, I find myself in awe of all of the candidates who were able to put themselves out there and run for office.

In our current environment, anyone who is brave enough to do that deserves our respect because it certainly isn’t easy.

You have to deal with negative attacks coming from opponents and constituents, which has always been the case – but, now, you even have to contend with attacks on social media and blogs. It’s the era of the digital grassy knoll – shots are ringing out, but you have no idea who is doing the shooting.

Campaigning door-to-door in Alabama July and August heat can’t be enjoyable, but all of the candidates got out and did it – waving signs, shaking hands and kissing babies.

Though it sounds cliché to say it, even those who lost their races this week are still winners.

By putting themselves out there, they’ve shown they have an interest in their town or city and that they care about trying to make it a better place.

I hope they will continue to try to act as agents of change, volunteering for board or committee positions or volunteering with community organizations.

While out covering some of the political races, yours truly was asked by some if and when I would ever run for office.

Thankfully, I live in the unincorporated part of the Eastern Shore, and there is no mayor or council for Barnwell.

But, even if I did live in one of our wonderful cities or towns, I would demur from running.

I prefer observing the process and reporting it to you, dear readers. Some of us are meant to be spectators and not participants – Lord knows my time in youth sports leagues taught me that.

So, on the subject of potential future office for Cliff McCollum, I quote former congressman and presidential candidate Mo Udall of Arizona.

“If nominated, I shall run to Mexico. If elected, I shall fight extradition.”

Cliff McCollum is managing editor of Gulf Coast Media. He can be reached at cliff@gulfcoastmedia.com.