Running for office takes courage. You step forward because you care about your community, see problems that need fixing, or believe you can do better than the current leaders. But what if Election Day ends in defeat? Does the loss make the whole effort feel pointless? Or can the experience still leave you glad you ran?
Sheila Omoth Christensen addresses this head-on in her practical book GONNA RUN: Making the Decision to Run for Public Office. Drawing from her decades in campaigns as both a candidate and a successful manager, she offers clear-eyed advice. She knows defeat hurts deeply. In one powerful section, she compares losing to “divorce or death of a spouse” in how it strikes your self-image. You invest months (or years) of hard work: knocking on doors, raising money, giving speeches, and facing attacks. When the votes fall short, the emotional hit can feel crushing.
The Pain of Defeatand Why It Fades
Christensen doesn’t hide the tough parts. After a loss, the phone often goes quiet. Supporters drift away. You face embarrassment, anger, frustration, and doubt. Some candidates never run again because the spotlight feels too harsh. Family strain, financial debts, or job impacts can linger too.
Yet she offers hope. The sting fades over time. She likens it to childbirth: intense pain in the moment, but soon forgotten, and many want to try again. For resilient people, regret rarely comes from having run. It more often stems from not preparing for the emotional side or from never stepping up at all.
Growth That Outlasts the Loss
Many candidates look back and see real value. Running builds skills you keep forever. You learn to speak confidently, handle pressure, research deeply (yourself and opponents), and network widely. You develop thick skin against criticism. Even bad publicity gets your name known. Christensen notes that “publicity, whether good or bad, will put your name in the minds of the voters.”
The campaign itself can feel addictive. The teamwork, the fight for issues, and the connections made these matters even without a win. In local races, a strong effort can lead to future opportunities, like appointed roles, advocacy work, or influencing policy indirectly.
Practical Steps After the Results
Christensen stresses wrapping up right, win or lose. File final reports on time to avoid fines. Pay debts (sometimes through one last fundraiser). Send thank-you notes to volunteers and donors. Hold a team debrief: review what went well, what didn’t, and why, no blame, just lessons.
This reflection turns defeat into fuel. You spot strengths you didn’t know you had: endurance, charisma, humor under stress. You gain deeper respect for democracy’s demands.
Weighing the Risks Upfront
Of course, not every story ends positively. Debts can burden you. Family ties may strain. The “fishbowl” life, constant judgment, and occasional vandalism can scar. Christensen urges thinking these through before announcing. If family support is shaky or health can’t take the grind, regret might follow, no matter the outcome.
Still, the book leans encouraging. Running isn’t just about winning a seat. It’s about having the bravery to try. As Christensen puts it, “the only loser is the person that stops trying or never tries in the first place.” Defeat stings, but sitting on the sidelines while issues fester often brings bigger regret.
If you’re weighing a run, pick up GONNA RUN. It won’t promise victory, but it shows that trying and learning from it rarely leads to true regret. The journey changes you for the better. Win or lose, many say it was worth every step.