Your why is the argument you’re making about the future. It’s the thing that connects your story to their lives. And it’s the filter through which every message, every speech, every debate answer must pass.
A strong why does not begin with the office you want. It begins with the problem you can’t stomach anymore.
Candidates who want to be something get blown over by the first gust of political wind. Candidates who want to do something , whose mission is clear and specific, become magnetic.
And when the attacks come (and they will), your why becomes your shield. Instead of playing on your opponent’s turf, you pivot straight back to your core message:
“I’m running to __________, so that ______________. ”
Example: “I am running to raise the minimum wage, so that people in my district can afford to live here and have their American dream.”
That’s how you stay in control of the race. Not by being the loudest, but by being the most grounded.
