OPINION: Why we run for office
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to run for office in North Idaho as a Democrat?
It’s definitely a unique experience — one that sends ripples of courage into your community.
We know the odds and the obstacles. That knowledge makes Democratic candidates unique and powerful.
We don’t run because we seek power. We run so that every North Idahoan knows that somebody’s there fighting for them.
Not fighting against our neighbors, not shouting past one another, but standing up — publicly — for working families, kids, teachers, veterans, and everyone who sometimes feels invisible in politics. Running for office is an act of service. It’s a way for a candidate to say to their neighbors: you matter, and your voice deserves to be heard.
If you felt like somebody was standing up for you in any election, Democrats accomplished our goal.
That feeling — of being seen, listened to, and represented — is what real democracy looks like in everyday life. It’s not about winning arguments, chasing fame, or creating clickbait. It’s about knocking on doors, answering the phone, showing up at school events, listening to concerns at the grocery store, and making sure decisions are made with real people in mind. That’s why we run, and that’s why local elections matter so much here in North Idaho.
As we look ahead to the November 2026 elections, now is the moment to start thinking seriously about who will step forward to represent our communities. Idaho’s candidate filing periods are earlier and shorter than many people realize, and missing them means missing the chance to be on the ballot at all.
For those considering a run for federal, statewide, legislative, or judicial office — including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, statewide elected offices, or the Idaho Legislature — the filing window is February 23 through February 27, with all paperwork due by 5 p.m. local time on February 27.
For neighbors who want to keep their community service local, the filing period for county and local partisan offices is between March 2 and March 13, with a firm deadline of 5 p.m. on March 13.
These offices shape the day-to-day realities of our lives — everything from local services to how welcoming and responsive our communities feel. The people in these roles should reflect the values, experiences, and hopes of the people they serve.
You don’t need to be a career politician to run. You don’t need to have all the answers. What you do need is a willingness to listen, to learn, and to stand up for your neighbors even when it’s uncomfortable. If you’ve ever said, “Someone should speak up about this,” or “I wish someone would stand up for us,” that someone could be you.
Democracy works best when participation is broad and local voices are strong. Whether you choose to run, help a candidate, or simply spread the word about these important deadlines, you are part of building a more caring and civically-engaged North Idaho.
We have seen dutiful and steady leadership in Coeur d’Alene with the election of Democrat Dan English to the City Council. He has served every member of his constituency, both Republican and Democrat, for several years. He is one person who paves the way for what is possible.
Today, we are in an era of North Idaho history where your neighbors are still finding the courage to speak. Others who disagree with the direction of the Republican Party are looking for connection. And people who worry about their communities, their cost of living, their access to healthcare, and their ability to raise a family - they are just looking for someone who sees them and stands up for them.
Will that be you this coming November?
At the end of the day, our measure of success as Democrats is simple: did people feel like somebody was there fighting for them? If the answer is yes, then as a community, we are doing this right.
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Sarah Martin is chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.