I want DUer's to run for office in 2 yrs, in 4 yrs

[duhneece]

Put yourself out there instead of just being 'keyboard warriors'. I ran for State Rep in a district, in a county that has not elected a Democrat in over 22 years...and I feel stronger for having done that. I got great support, financially and every other way, from DU.
It's time to start finding out what you would have to do: how many signatures? does it cost anything? Just to put your name on the ballot, does it require much from you? It would be lovely if you gave it an all-out campaign, but just putting your name on the ballot may be enough if you are offering voters an option (like here in Otero County, New Mexico.)
Start by attending local Dem Party meetings.

[brooklynite]

1. As a member of a hated minority, I have no chance of even getting nominated

I'm an atheist. And even in Blue NYC, that's a huge negative.

[duhneece]

3. You would be a voice for the marginalized, the disenfranchised...

Sometimes, that has to be enough.

[Maru Kitteh]

5. Perhaps that's why it's important that you run

People must get used to the idea, and they cannot get used to the idea until they see examples of real, live, breathing and walking atheists - and see for themselves that these are compassionate, caring, intelligent people with respect for their fellow person and community.

[lagomorph777]

9. You don't necessarily have to run on an "atheist agenda."

I think Little Donnie has made it OK to campaign without the G-word. Not that I recommend copying anything else about his campaign.

And - HI! from a fellow atheist.

[drray23]

2. Working on it.

I am taking accent reduction classes. I was born in France and still have an accent after 24 years of being here. My area is southestern rural virginia and they are conservative. I never had an issue of being mocked for my accent but I think it is a factor with older people.

[duhneece]

4. Sometimes the older folks ARE the most likely to ...

...to feel entitled to their lack of inclusion for ALL of us, to lack of compassion. But RUN, Run, run! I love that you're considering it and what you (may) have to do.

[Maru Kitteh]

7. Sometimes also those older people are most forgiving of an accent because their

grandparents were first generation, and/or they grew up with older folks all around them that spoke only French or German or Swiss or Gaelic, etc.

Just a thought

[LP2K12]

6. I've been seriously considering it

but trying to find info for Michigan on their sites has been a drag.

[duhneece]

8. How far are you from your County Clerk?

Local county help could be easier to get than from your state's Secretary of State.