How To Run For Elected Office and Win

Corey Jackson and others who have a great deal of experience dealing with elected official have formed Citizens of the Inland Empire to help African-Americans who wish to serve their community through elected or appointed public office. To inform those interested in such offices, it is holding a candidate recruitment and development event on Tuesday, Sept. 15


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Anyone interested in running for elected office, but especially African-Americans, can learn more about the process at a networking event on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Citizens of the Inland Empire and the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce will host a Candidate Recruitment and Development Mixer at 6 p.m. at Castaways Restaurant & Banquet Center, 670 Kendall Drive.

“It’s a networking event to say ‘hey we need people to run for office,’ and to show them ways that we can help,” said Corey Jackson, chair of the Citizens of the Inland Empire.

“There are many ways people can serve their community through elected or appointed office,” said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce. “People may not know what that entails, so we want to help guide them through the process.”

Armstead explained that besides the most visible offices, such as the state Legislature and city councils, there are many other offices that make communities run smoothly, such as school boards, water boards and planning commissions. All of them give opportunities for African-Americans to have their voices heard when decisions are made.

At the event, organizers will show participants what offices for which they could run for election, and resources such as campaign strategy, fund raising and volunteers that would be available to them. They will also discuss ethical and legal obligations candidates face.

Since many commissions are held by citizens appointed to the office, rather than elected, the event will also address how to secure such appointments.

To RSVP, send an email to citizensoftheinlandempire@gmail.com.

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