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Questions to Ask Candidates Running for Office
City Council
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Questions for Individuals Running for City Council
Category
Question
Goals / Vision
11
Assess the recent performance of the [INSERT NAME OF OFFICE] and, if elected, would you keep it on the same direction or change course?
Given existing budget constraints, how would you would stretch taxpayer dollars and still [INSERT GOAL, example: OFFER SERVICES, DETER CRIME, ETC]?
How can we hire the best? How do we attract really good applicants?
How would you describe your management style?
What are the most pressing issues in the office you are seeking?
What are your goals for the office?
What do you plan to accomplish in your first 30 days? In your first 90 days?
What do you see as the [name of elected office]’s primary role?
What do you think is the most important skill of being a good [INSERT NAME OF POSITION]?
What is biggest need of the [INSERT NAME OF POSITION] now and what would you do to fill that need?
What would you say the [INSERT POSITION NAME] position entails?
About the Candidate
9
Describe an ethical dilemma you’ve faced. How did you resolve it?
How are you funding your campaign?
What civic organizations or non-profits have you been an active member of in recent years?
What distinguishes you from other candidates?
What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
What endorsements have you received?
Why are you running? (Why did you decide to run?)
Why are you the best person for the job?
Why should voters cast their ballot for you?
Experience
6
Describe your experience.
Do you have previous political experience? Have you run for or ever held elected office?
Have you ever held public office before? If so, what, where and when?
How have you dealt with challenges in past positions?
What experience do you have with large budgets? How are you equipped to handle a budget as large as {INSERT INFORMATION ON BUDGET SIZE]?
What job experience do you have?
Position
7
How can the [INSERT POSITION] have an impact on the opioid and drug problem in the region?
How would you handle a situation if a subordinate was believed to have committed a crime?
How would you pick your staff?
School shootings have parents, school districts, and law enforcement agencies looking for ways to ensure schools are always safe. What plans do you have when it comes to school safety? What policies would you enact and why?
Should [INSERT NAME OF REGION] be a sanctuary [INSERT TYPE OF REGION, like CITY or COUNTY]?
What’s the number one challenge facing the next [INSERT POSITION] when it comes to management of the department and working with [INSERT OTHER OFFICE, like CITY COUNCIL or COUNTY BOARD]?
Would you be willing to open the {INSERT SPECIFIC POLICY, BUDGET, OR OTHER MEANINGFUL ITEM} to the Public?
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