Running for Office? Don't Forget the Nuts and Bolts

Workshop for Prospective Candidates Hosted by Hobby Center for Public Policy, League of Women Voters

Running a political campaign takes more than vision. It takes strategy. It takes branding. It takes money. The University of Houston Hobby Center for Public Policy and the League of Women Voters Houston are hosting an event for anyone contemplating running for office or anyone encouraging someone to run for office. 

“Town Hall: Nuts and Bolts of Running for Office” is planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 31, at the UH Student Center, Skyline Room/room 223, entrance one off University Blvd. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here. The Black Sheep Agency and January Advisors are community partners for the event.

“Houston is filled with leaders who are interested in public service, and communities who want to put their leaders in a position to run, but just don't know where to start,” said Reda Hicks, chair of debates and forums for the League of Women Voters. “This event is designed to educate prospective candidates and their supporters on the steps to prepare a campaign for success.”

Among the panelists:

  • Zak Miller, political strategist who has assisted with multiple local, state and federal candidate and issues campaigns.
  • Elizabeth Connor, political fundraiser who worked on campaigns of former Houston mayor Annise Parker, gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis and U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards.
  • Jennifer Kim, co-creator of Campaign in a Box, a jumpstart kit for political candidates, a policy analyst and Presidential Management Fellow at the Economic Development Administration and the first minority woman elected to the Austin City Council.
  • Joshua Sanders, policy director for Hall Attorneys, who has worked extensively to provide solutions for political and public policy campaigns at the local, state and federal levels.
  • Rogene Calvert of Houston 80-20 Asian American Political Action Committee who has worked on campaigns or initiatives with city councilpersons Martha Wong and Gordon Quan and former Mayor Bill White.
  • Alim D. Adatia, an attorney who has worked on mayoral and congressional campaigns, as well as consulted on law enforcement and political initiatives.

“Part of the mission of the Hobby Center for Public Policy is to teach the next generation of leaders the value of public service and to connect them with community leaders and partners who can inform their passion,” said Renée Cross, associate director of the HCPP. “We’re proud of our partnership with the League of Women Voters Houston and look forward to our work together.”

The event is part of the League of Women Voters’ #DemocracyMonth, which has focused on engaging and educating voters and encouraging the next generation of Houston leaders to become public servants. 

WHO: Hobby Center for Public Policy and League of Women Voters Houston

WHAT: “Town Hall: The Nuts and Bolts of Running for Office”

WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday March 31

WHERE: University of Houston Student Center, Skyline room 223