Dan Storck is learning that it's important to get organized early when running a campaign. As a first-time candidate for the Mount Vernon District School School Board, he's realizing that getting a late start makes it harder to run a campaign.
Marsha Paul, a Republican who's running against Storck, a Democrat, is surprised at how challenging fund-raising is.
David Kennedy, a Republican who's running for the House of Delegates in the 44th District, is finding that people are "coming through at levels that stun me."
Purvis Dawson, a Republican running against Democratic incumbent Gerry Hyland for Mount Vernon District Supervisor, is thankful for the help of his mentor, Fairfax County Court Clerk John T. Frey.
All four of these candidates are delving into the world of politics for the first time, and so far, they are all finding it to be a positive experience.
"The biggest thing I've found is how enjoyable the process is," said Storck. "I thought it would be more like work."
"Overall, it's been a wonderful experience," said Kennedy. "It [politics] has been a process, and this is the next step. With 15 years experience in government affairs, this is something I'm interested and realized that it's something I can do."
Dawson, who has teamed up with Paul to go knocking on doors, said "We've knocked on hundreds of doors. It's been very positive. Most people are tickled that they're getting two candidates at the door."
"That's what keeps us going; it's so favorable," said Paul, adding that only one person (out of hundreds) was too busy to talk, and mentioned that even people who belong to the other party listen to them and say that they "make a good case."
THE CANDIDATES have different reasons for running, but the bottom line is that they made the decision to run. Kennedy likens it to the way people always say that they're going to write a book. "Many people say they're going to run for office; I was the person who put my hand up and did it."
Dawson said that he's been talking about running for office for so long, that at the police station, they call him "the governor." "They [fellow officers] joke that I'll be the governor one day," said Dawson.
Storck said he is running because he feels that there are issues that need to be addressed. He has a core group of committed followers who have decided that this is the kind of person they want to be a school board member.
Paul is hoping that by running for school board, she will contribute something to the community.
"The four candidates, who have found campaigning to be demanding of their time, have chosen different ways to portion their time. Storck said that there are days when he spends the majority of his time campaigning, while others are devoted to his job as a consultant in the healthcare field.
He said that he's had to give up some of the things he enjoys, like reading the newspaper.
"I scan it, but I don't savor it like I usually do," he said.
Kennedy started campaigning early, and has been able to divide his time accordingly. Dawson is taking over 400 hours of leave from his job to campaign for the supervisor position; if he wins he will retire from his job as assistant station commander.
Paul is not taking any substitute teaching jobs this fall so that she can devote her time to campaigning, and says that she has to be very organized and schedule her days.
"My day ends when the kids come home from school," said Paul. "Then it starts again at night with Back to School Nights and other events."
ALL OF THE candidates have taken advantage of the Back to School Nights and other community events to meet the community. Several schools have already held their annual gatherings, while many more are scheduled in the next two weeks.
Paul and Storck have gone one step further with the schools, spending time meeting with the principals. This not only serves to help the candidates get their name known, it also helps them to learn the issues and concerns.
"I've been meeting with the schools and principals to get a general knowledge of the school systems. I'm getting a great education, all the schools are so different," said Paul.
Dawson said that he's learned a lot from Frey, Stuart Mendelsohn and Jack Herrity.
"They've advised me on different matters, and educated me on the issues," said Dawson.
With less than two months to go before election day, all of the candidates plan to continue knocking on doors, going to meet-and-greets, posting signs and mailing campaign literature. All part of the process for first-time politicians.