By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 14, 2025
When running for office, staying in your lane isn’t just good advice—it’s essential strategy. A focused campaign shows voters that you understand the role you’re running for, and that you’re serious about delivering real solutions within the scope of your authority. Straying from that can cause confusion, dilute your message, and open the door to unnecessary controversy.
One of the biggest missteps you as a candidate can make is getting sucked into debates or discussions that don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the position you are seeking. For example, you might be running as a candidate for village board and if you weigh in on federal immigration policy that may gain lots of attention, but it won’t help you show the voters how you plan to fix potholes or improve local services. This kind of distraction shifts the conversation away from what voters actually need from that role—and can ultimately hurt your credibility.
When you as a candidate venture outside your lane into discussions that have nothing to do with the office to which you seek to be elected, you risk creating unrealistic expectations in the minds of the voters. Voters may assume you will take action on issues that aren’t actually within your power once elected, leading to disappointment and frustration. Even worse, your opponent can use those moments to question your understanding of the position or suggest that you’re out of touch.
On the flip side, staying focused on the responsibilities that come with the office you’re seeking builds trust and clarity. Voters appreciate when you speak plainly and directly about what you can do—rather than what you wish you could do. It shows discipline, leadership, and respect for the function of government at every level.
A campaign that sticks to relevant, actionable issues stands out. It’s easier to craft a strong message, connect with the community, and offer concrete solutions. Whether it’s improving public safety, managing budgets, or enhancing services, voters want to hear how you’ll address the matters they face every day—through the tools that are actually at your disposal.
In today’s noisy political climate, the temptation to respond to every hot-button issue is real. But smart candidates know that their strength lies in staying mission-driven. Talk about what you can change, and let that be the foundation of your campaign. Clarity is power—and focus wins elections.
Musings By Rebecca 