In 2018, TNA launched the Nurses in Office initiative. Our vision is to have nurses leading the charge in 2040, with more nurses in office across the state. In talking with nurses who currently hold office, we know that running for local positions — such as school board, city council, county office or justice of the peace — can be a great first step to eventually holding state office.

Read more about the Nurses in Office in Hope for 2040: Nurses Leading the Charge.

Learn about the inspiration for the initiative, including why Representative Stephanie Klick believes we need more nurses in office. 

Listen to new episodes of the Texas Nurses podcast here, including the "Nurses, Politics and Policy" series, created as a doctoral project geared towards inspiring and training nurses and nursing students to run for office and become involved in policymaking! Guests include nurse advocates, politicians and legislators, policy experts and more.

If you are a nurse and are considering running for office, contact us! If you would like to get nurses in your district involved, download our overview PowerPoint. 

Resources

Whether you are backing a candidate or running yourself, these resources can help you get started, get support and get elected!

Running for Office

• Overview
• Get Started
• Get Support
• Get Elected

When considering running, research the obligations involved in holding office, from paperwork to time spent attending meetings to raising funds and budgeting. There may also be a number of outside responsibilities such as spending time talking to constituents or attending social events.

Make sure you have a strong platform before you run, and find out filing deadlines for the election. Requirements vary according to the area. Learn more about running for local office.

In addition, anyone running for public office must designate a campaign treasurer and file their information with the appropriate local authority. Once you have funds, you will need to advertise and campaign. Learn more about political advertising.

For additional training, Healing Politics, a non-profit organization founded by nurses to prepare and support nurses and midwives in running for elected office, is planning a Candidate School for Nurses and Midwives. To be notified of plans, email Lisa Summers, DRPH, FACNM. 

Publications

For a great overview on running for office, check out Women in Politics: Putting Yourself Out There, by geriatric nurse Brenda Cleary, PhD. Send check for $12.00 to:

Brenda Cleary
103 Highlands Lake Drive
Cary, NC 27518

Women and Leadership - Pew Research Center

Data on Women Leaders - Pew Research Center

How to Run for Political Office and Win

Wikihow: Run for Political Office

Center for Women in Politics

Candidate Boot Camp

In the news: 

• Sally Derrick won her re-election campaign for the CFBISD School Board
• Dr. Erin Perez was elected to the Live Oak City Council Place 3
• First, They Saved Lives. Now, Nurses Want To Save America.

How to Run

School Board

1. Confirm eligibility requirements for your school district. In addition to age, being a citizen and being a registered voter, you may need to have no conflicts of interest or meet other informal requirements, such as a certain career background and education.
2. File application (signed by a notary public).
3. Designate a campaign treasurer and file their information with the county clerk or other authority as appropriate.
4. Assemble your campaign team to work on messaging, promotion, appearances, fundraising and getting voters out to the polls.

Learn more about running for school board.

Justice of the Peace

1. Confirm eligibility requirements, such as age, being a citizen and being a registered voter.
2. Collect 250 signatures on your nominating petition. If you have less than 750, you need to pay $1,000 to file. You must be affiliated with a political party or your petition must by signed by five percent of the precinct’s votes.
3. Designate a campaign treasurer and file their information with the county clerk or other local authority as appropriate.
4. Assemble your campaign team to work on messaging, promotion, appearances, fundraising and getting voters out to the polls.

City Council

1. Confirm eligibility requirements for your city, such as age, being a citizen and being a registered voter.  
2. File an application. In some places, you may need to collect voter signatures.
3. Submit your nomination papers and filing fee. The city clerk will send you a notice when you are officially a candidate for city council.
4. Designate a campaign treasurer and file their information with the city clerk or other local authority as appropriate.
5. Assemble your campaign team to work on messaging, promotion, appearances, fundraising and getting voters out to the polls.