I remember sitting across from Sarah, a first-time candidate for city council, in a local coffee shop. She looked exhausted. “Why doesn’t anyone else feel the same urgency I do?” she asked. “Am I the only one who sees how important this is?”
That conversation has stayed with me because it captures something profound about running for office – something that most campaign guides never talk about: the emotional journey every candidate goes through.
Let me tell you about Tom, a small business owner who decided to run for state legislature. When he first came to me, his eyes were bright with possibility. He had a core group of supporters who were ready to move mountains for him. His wife had rearranged her schedule to help with the campaign. His business partners were all in.
“This is exactly what our district needs,” they all said. And in those early days, it felt like nothing could stop them.
I’ve seen this moment dozens of times – that initial surge of energy when everything feels possible. But I’ve also seen what comes next.
About two months into his campaign, Tom called me. His voice was different. The enthusiasm was still there, but now it was tinged with something else – confusion, maybe even a bit of hurt.
“My supporters who were so excited at the beginning? They’re still supportive, but…” he paused. “They have their own lives. They can’t drop everything for the campaign like I can.”
This is a moment every candidate faces. You’re all in, living and breathing the campaign 24/7, while even your strongest supporters can only give you pieces of their time and attention. It’s not that they don’t care – they do. But they have jobs, families, and commitments that don’t stop for your campaign.
I’ll never forget what Janet, a school board candidate, told me during the middle phase of her campaign: “I feel like I’m the only one who understands how much is at stake here.”
She was running a strong campaign, but the weight of it all was starting to wear on her. Her husband was supportive but had his own business to run. Her volunteer coordinator could only work evenings. Her biggest donor was on vacation during a crucial fundraising week.
This is when many candidates face their deepest moments of isolation. You’re carrying a vision that consumes your every waking moment, but the world around you keeps spinning at its normal pace.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Remember Tom, the state legislature candidate? About two months before Election Day, I noticed a change in him. The isolation hadn’t gone away, but something had shifted.
“I’ve stopped expecting others to feel what I feel,” he told me. “This is my race to run. Others will help when they can, and that’s okay.”
This is the transformation I see in successful candidates. They stop waiting for others to match their urgency and instead embrace their unique role as the standard-bearer of their campaign.
Last year, I watched Maria, a county commissioner candidate, navigate the final weeks of her campaign. She’d been through it all – the early excitement, the middle-phase loneliness, the eventual acceptance of her singular role.
“You know what’s funny?” she said to me just before Election Day. “I’m more alone than ever in carrying this campaign, but I’ve never felt stronger.”
That’s the paradox of running for office. The very thing that makes it difficult – the fact that no one else can truly share your sense of urgency – is also what shapes you into a leader.
Here’s what I tell every candidate I work with: the isolation you feel isn’t a bug in the system – it’s a feature. It’s preparing you for the reality of leadership, where you’ll often need to stand firm in your convictions even when others don’t share your sense of urgency.
Let’s Talk About Your Journey
Every candidate’s path is unique, but the emotional challenges are universal. I’d love to hear about where you are in your journey. What phase are you experiencing? How are you handling the unique pressures of running for office?
Want to discuss your campaign journey over coffee (virtual works too!)? Choose a time or reach out at Sean@VOTEGTR.com. I’m always happy to share insights and support candidates through these challenging but transformative phases.
