This was my jocular response when people asked why I didn’t travel and always seemed to be working and networking. I believed that time away from politics was politically unproductive. Political life has an all-consuming tendency where other pursuits from travel to leisure to friendships are viewed through a political lens.

Fast forward to now. After leaving politics (unopposed for reelection and successfully completing my term in office) in the mid-90’s I went into TV News and had the chance to live in several interesting places across the country. Then came grad school at Harvard and a chance to take a breath and travel to distant lands.

After returning to reality stateside, I moved to Washington DC teaching and working in higher education. While these aspects made my life richer it made me politically poorer as a potential candidate for office.

My main interests in running for the 10th Congressional District focused on improving higher education, curbing excessive federal spending and supporting sensible efforts to help save our environment. But in talking to friends and supporters, mostly in Contra Costa, and experts in Washington DC I decided not to run. This decision did not come easily and I debated even to the last minute. But three separate reasons combined in a powerful way in my decision not to:

-Personal: The personal sacrifice you need to make to run and win is overwhelming. Over my life I realize there is more to life than politics, campaigning and getting elected to office. Congress also possesses extremely low approval ratings making its job even tougher. The Rasmussen Report this past year rated the favorable views U.S. citizens have of Congress at less than nine percent. Ouch. To enter than lions den of diminished respect and support takes chutzpah for sure. We should give credit and respect to those who run and offer to serve the public.

-Money: Having a message is not enough. Having a vision is not enough. Wanting to serve is not enough. You need money to get your message out and convince people of your merits. Before I served in politics I worked in fundraising. Even so, the sums needed for a Congressional race are daunting even in a shortened special election. PACS, labor unions, developers and other specialized interests will contribute to the candidate that will best serve their interests. But for those running that wont be enough as the totals necessary to compete will be well into the six figures just to be competitive. Fundraising will consume more of a candidate’s time and focus instead of communicating to voters and the media.

-Two Party ‘Choice’: In a country built on freedom of choice it is surprising that we are limited with just two main political parties to choose from on Election Day. Running as an independent is challenging enough but doing so in an off-year election makes it even more so as activist party members tend to dominate. This is especially true in the California 10th Congressional District which, like almost all others, has been created to favor one party over another. This is why the 10th District ranges over 4 counties and 2 dozen cities stretching all the way up to the Sacramento Valley. There have been only a handful of Independent candidates who have been elected to office in California and ever fewer to Congress.

Truly competitive Congressional elections are rare as Nate Silver points out in fivethirtyeight.com. Silver’s research shows there are very few cases of close congressional elections anymore. Since 2000 there have been 2,175 elections to the US House and less than 2 percent of them have been close with a percentage point or two making the difference. All of this means less choice for voters. We have dozens of choices in everything from the toothpaste we brush with to the cars we drive and the movies we watch. But in politics it’s either party R or party D.

California is in deep trouble right now and needs to elect talented public officials who will perform at a consistently superior level in office. California also needs friends wherever it can find them. Whomever gets elected next week I’ll be glad to welcome our new Congressional member, most likely John Garamendi or David Harmer, to DC and show them around town. There is more to Washington than just Capitol Hill. It’s a great place to live.

My father always said “you can never have enough education”. But there are many ways to learn and I I’d suggest the winning candidate buy and read ‘The Waxman Report’ so they can get a quick briefing on how to best make an impact while in office. In the end that’s what really matters: being able to say what you accomplished in helping improve the lives and opportunities of those you represent. If you just run to have a new political title, move up the electoral ladder, or cap your career, that is a wonderful opportunity that should not be wasted. California and the 10th District can’t afford anything but the best and deserves nothing less.

Scott R. Talan, MPA
Former Mayor & City Council Member of Lafayette

Web Bio & Career Profile
http://www.careerhandlers.com/ScottTalan/

They move within the system like a bunch rattle snacks. Some who even get elected to the committees and vote against their own. The San Joaquin County Central Committee has two of these boy’s. Who can we trust if it’s all about money?

Can he find Afghanistan on a map?