Elected leadership is a lever for systemic change.
In order to end the injustice of educational inequity, we need to have better decision-makers at the local, state, and federal levels that center on equity and prioritize the needs of all children.
In any given electoral cycle, most voters only have one choice for more than half of elected offices because no one else runs.
Serving in office means that you can represent issues and communities that have been traditionally marginalized, and contribute your unique experiences to the legislative process. By raising your hand and saying “I will,” not only can you dramatically alter the conversation—you can literally change the face of elected offices in your community.
We support all LEE members who are interested in exploring their futures in elected office. Set up time with an elected leadership coach as first step to learn how to get started!
Other Ways to Get Started
Check out these opportunities to kickstart your journey in the elected office landscape.
Your Toolkit for Running
LEE supports all members who are potentially interested in running for office—from first conversations, throughout your campaigns, and through critical work as an elected official. We support you across your entire journey to maximize your impact in your community. Login to your LEE member account to check out the Elected Leadership toolkit.
Exploring Elected Leadership Course
Want to “try it on” with some virtual exploration? The Exploring Elected Leadership learning path has a library of self-paced content that can help you think through whether serving in elected office is the right thing for you.
Find the Offices Up For Election in Your Area
LEE’s Pinpoint platform can allow you to search what offices are up for election in your area in the upcoming cycle. It might not have all of the available information—there are over 500,000 elected offices after all—but it’s a good place to start to explore what offices are in your area and who represents you!
LEE Member Jorge Pacheco Jr. ran “because lives are at stake”
“I'm tired of waiting and people telling me to wait … Make that decision to run and choose to represent the community that has never been represented before.”
Jorge serves as president of the Oak Grove School District in San Jose, CA. As a near-high school dropout who became the first in his family to earn a college degree, he knows firsthand how education can change lives for the better, which is why he returned to his hometown of San Jose to serve his community's youth and families as a public school teacher. Read more of Jorge's story.
You are enough. Get started by meeting with your elected leadership coach today.
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