BY AMY SOLARES
VIRGINIA BEACH — I’ve been a candidate for the Virginia Beach School Board, District 2, for the last 11 months, and now the election is over.
I didn’t win, but I have no regrets on how I ran my campaign — even as a rookie. I came away from the experience with an abundance of lessons that were either learned or reinforced while on the campaign trail.
Here’s my list of lessons.
I learned a calling is real, though you may not realize it until you’re in the middle of it.
I learned you can perfect your stump speech while running four miles.
Practicing speaking in front of a mirror really does help, and you don’t need index cards or cheat sheets when you know the issues.
I learned you need a plastic bag for your literature if there’s a chance for rain.
I learned it takes a lot of money to run a campaign, but money is not the end all.
I knew I’d have to devote all my time to this, but I didn’t realize just how much time. I learned how understanding and supportive my family is, and you should continue to surround yourself with good people.
I learned just how unkind and dishonest politics truly are. Your life, your family, your everything is up for grabs when it comes to attacks from opponents, but it is easy to stay focused and ignore attacks when you have those good people by your side.
As quickly as attacks appear at the beginning of a race, they disappear as soon as the election is over.
I also learned most people are kind. Most people are thrilled to talk to an actual candidate who knocks on their door.
We have much in common with our neighbors, even those we don’t see daily.
I was the first candidate ever to knock on some doors where residents told me they had lived for five, 10, even 20 years. People are often open to telling their stories when you knock on their door and really listen.
I got to see adopted dogs I once knew and cared for while they were living in the local shelter where I volunteer – and they remembered me.
I learned when two Burmese mountain dogs push a door open and charge out at you, you are at their discretion, so say a quick prayer and hope they are friendly.
(They were.)
I learned your own dog doesn’t care if you get home late from campaigning. You are still obligated to take him for a walk.
Your own cats don’t care if you get home late from campaigning. You are still obligated to pay lots of attention to them before they allow you to go to bed.
It’s best to keep a smile on your face even when struggling to hold down a tent while getting pummeled by a monsoon at Mount Trashmore. I learned this with City Council candidate Elaine Fekete, who became my friend while we campaigned together.
It’s easy to lose weight while walking neighborhoods knocking on doors, so make sure you have plenty of smaller size pants and belts in your closet. Otherwise, you chance your pants falling down.
I learned “no soliciting” means exactly that unless, maybe, you didn’t see the sign before you rang the doorbell. You may find the people from behind that door interested and engaging.
Even though you can be spot-on every time when speaking, you can, once in a blue moon, lose your train of thought.
I learned other things, too.
Sign wars can be fun.
It’s really nice to have someone else put up your 4×4 signs.
Sometimes you just click with certain people. You should not let those people go after the campaign is done.
I don’t like to wear blazers.
It’s difficult not to think you let people down when you don’t win.
It’s okay if someone doesn’t agree with you. It’s better to be honest than to beat around the bush. It’s better to have someone you trust be honest with you.
It’s surreal to see your own name on an official ballot.
I learned my new friend Elaine Fekete does not like spiders or snakes as much as I do.
I learned that farmer Louis Cullipher was the valedictorian of the Creeds School Class of 1953.
National news can and will take your speeches from School Board meetings and use them on their show, and you may not know this until your parents say they saw you on TV.
Never sit near a beehive when making a campaign video.
Baja Restaurant in Sandbridge has the best she crab soup. Pungo Sports Bar & Grill in “downtown” Pungo has the best tuna bites. For burgers? Monk’s Place in Creeds.
I learned that, when something deep inside you tells you to stand up, you should stand up.
And, sometimes, it just isn’t meant to be.
Seeking office was worthwhile for me, all the same.
I felt somebody needed to talk about issues I didn’t see reflected in School Board policy in our political process. I got to do that for 11 months while I learned even more about where I live.
By running, I had a voice in an important conversation for our community.
The author, who lives in the Salem area, recently ran for the District 2 seat on the Virginia Beach School Board. It is the first time she has sought public office.
© 2022 Pungo Publishing Co., LLC
