40+ Inspirational Quotes for Election Campaigns

Running for office is more than a political play. It’s a deeply personal choice that often stems from frustration, hope, or a quiet realization that your community deserves better. Whether you’re just beginning to imagine yourself on the ballot or you’re already knocking doors, the right words can remind you why you started and why it matters.

These inspirational quotes for an election campaign come from elected officials, local Independent candidates, community leaders, and historical voices, all people who decided to stop watching from the sidelines and step into public service.

Quotes for When You’re Deciding to Run for Office

Every campaign starts long before yard signs and door-knocking. It starts with a question: Should I really do this?

For many candidates, the decision to run comes from a moment of clarity that their community needs a new voice. These quotes reflect the courage it takes to step forward, especially when you’ve never imagined yourself in politics before.

• “Your voice matters, your experience, your life. Look at who is running your city or state right now, and if you don’t see yourself, it’s you who should be in that seat.” — Terry Vo, city council member in Nashville, Tennessee.

• “Running for office is important, and you don't really need more than to be right on the issues, and to be able to articulate what it is you believe.” — Matt Gonzalez, former President of the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco, California.

• “Either we can complain about it, or we can do something about it.” — Victoria Masika, former candidate for town commissioner in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

• “My inspiration comes from injustices that we see in our society. We have seen previously that there needs to be more of a voice out there, so that's what inspired me.” — Ana Paola Pazmino, school board member in Jamesburg Borough, New Jersey.

• “Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world.” — Roald Dahl, renowned children’s author.

• “Don't allow an incumbent to run unopposed. What I told everyone is that I'm a fighter. And if you're a fighter, people see that someone real is fighting for them. Even if you don't win, it allows people to see that there is someone who will stand up, who will be honest and fight for them.” — Barbara Gaskins, former mayoral candidate in Greenville, North Carolina.

• “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi, Indian nonviolent resistance leader.

• “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” — Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist and author.

• "Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you." — Pericles, an ancient Greek statesman. 

• “When you’re starting to get disillusioned, that’s the time to get more involved." — Tim Cotton, former candidate for Indiana State Senate.

If you’re waiting for a sign that you’re ready to run, you’re not alone. The reality is, most candidates don’t start with a perfect campaign plan. They start with a reason. If something in your community keeps pulling at you, that might be your sign. 

Quotes About Why Community Leaders Step Up

Many candidates don’t start with ambition. They start with a problem they know they want to help solve.

• “I got involved in an issue that took five years of my life, and I decided I didn't want anyone else in my community to ever have to go through that again.” — Jason Capelle, county supervisor in Orange County, Virginia. 

• “What inspired me to run for office was the lack of communication and outreach from the current city council. We very rarely, almost not at all, had access to a public meeting. We weren't represented at all. It was just a very sad state of affairs in the city.” — Virginia Ryan, city council member in Quincy, Massachusetts. 

• “I wanted to get more involved in this divisive political environment in an area which is not and should not be political, and to work for the kids, the students, the parents, the administrators, and not give in to these other national distractions.” — Neerav Modi, school board member in Jamesburg Borough, New Jersey.

• “I've been in education for my whole career, so when my kids started going to school, I started following the school committee meetings, and I thought that there could be some improvements based on my own professional experience. So I decided to run, to be the change.” — Tammy Wong-Bigelow, school committee member in Waltham, Massachusetts.

• “I was just very involved in the community. I love the city I live in and want it to be its best. There's a lot of opportunity to shape the future of the city, and that's what really excited me, is having the opportunity to add the quality-of-life amenities and elements to the city that a lot of the residents were looking for.” — Tom Lambert, city council member in Dunwoody, Georgia.

• “The whole purpose of me seeking public office is to make the world a better place.” —  Michael Capuano, former U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts. 

• “Democracy is based upon the conviction there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.” — Harry Emerson Fosdick, pastor and author. 

Quotes About What Public Service Really Means

Running for office isn’t about titles or resumes. At its core, public service is about showing up, listening, learning, and making decisions with your neighbors in mind. 

These voices remind us what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in service rather than ambition.

• “Service is running for public office with the explicit and limited goal of serving your neighbors.” — S.E. Cupp, political commentator and writer.

• “That is what I believe in: you need to contribute. You need to help people. You need to make some changes in their life, positive changes, and then just see how it goes.” — Santosh Salvi, school board member in Nashua, New Hampshire.

• “If you're blessed enough to serve in public office, then you shouldn't just talk a good game about your values; you should cast your vote according to them.” — John Thune, senior U.S. Senator from South Dakota.

• “Citizenship demanded responsibilities. There was a greater good.” — James McGreevey, former governor of New Jersey. 

• “I truly want the people to know I am here for the people — because as the judiciary, I'm rooted in public safety, fairness, and the Constitution. That's what I represent.” — Mary Anderson, former judicial candidate in Snohomish County, Washington.

• “If we get people that are willing to take action, then you don't have to change the world; even just to make small changes in the community around you, things can improve.” — Japjeet Uppal, city councilmember in Livingston, California.

Public service doesn’t require perfection. It requires integrity, consistency, and a willingness to be accountable. For many candidates, that commitment, not their political ideology, is what earns voters’ trust.

LEARN MORE: Be more than a politician. Learn what it takes to be a good public servant. 

Quotes for If You’re Running Without a Party Machine

Candidates across the country are increasingly choosing to run without party labels and to focus on problem-solving over partisanship. 

Whether you identify as Independent, nonpartisan, or simply community-first, these quotes speak to the power of staying true to your values while reaching beyond political divides:

• “Partisanship should not stop progress.” — Feanna Jattan-Singh, city council and school board candidate in Worcester, Massachusetts.

• “I pledged to stand with the people rather than follow a partisan line.” — Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator from Nevada. 

• “More Independents getting involved and getting elected is very important and exciting, because it's bringing more diverse ideas. It's not just one side or the other.” — Ben Weisner, former city councilmember in Auburn, Maine.

• “Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. Just be yourself, stay true to your core values.” —  Ben Quayle, former U.S. Representative from Arizona. 

• “Partisan politics does not have a place on our school boards, in our communities, or in our schools. Students come to us from many, many backgrounds and beliefs. We need to create learning environments that support all of our families.” — Andy Fekete, school board member in Huntley, Illinois.

• “Real change comes from the bottom up, not the top down.” — Bernie Sanders, senior U.S. Senator from Vermont. 

Voters are often less interested in party talking points than they are in honesty and results. Campaigning outside rigid partisan lines isn’t always easy, but for many candidates, it’s the most authentic way to serve their communities. For Independent candidates, that authenticity is often their greatest strength.

Quotes for When the Campaign Gets Hard

Campaigns test your patience, confidence, and stamina. While running for office can be an energizing experience, rejection, uncertainty, and long days are often an exhausting part of the process. 

These quotes are reminders for the moments when the work feels heavy and progress feels slow:

• “In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it.” — Barack Obama, former United States President. 

• “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader. 

• “It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up.” — Vince Lombardi, professional football coach. 

• “That first step is the challenge, and then that one's successful, and then the next one is successful, and then you get one that isn't. But then you're going on your success of people saying, ‘Thank you for stopping. I appreciate your time and effort.’ Those kind of interactions were what kept me going.” — James Likley, township trustee in Medina, Ohio.

• “Hope is a discipline.” — Mariame Kaba, activist and grassroots organizer. 

• “Trust yourself, trust your instincts, and be true to yourself and true to who you are. Don't change. Don't try to fit into something that you're not. Just be yourself. Know what your intentions are, and believe in yourself.” — Jennifer Hutchinson, school board member in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

• “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” — Mother Teresa, Catholic Saint. 

• “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt, former United States President. 

• “You can’t lead from the sidelines.” — Kamala Harris, former Vice President of the United States. 

Campaigns are marathons, not sprints. Every conversation, every door knocked, and every voter heard matters, even when the results aren’t immediate.

Quotes on Why Representation Matters

Many candidates don’t run for office because they crave leadership. They run because their communities aren’t being heard. These quotes come from people who stepped up when they realized representation was missing from their community.

• “If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” — Shirley Chisholm, former activist and U.S. Representative from New York. 

• “Representation is not a favor — it’s a right.” — Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.

• “When we show up and speak out, we change the course of history.” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. Representative from New York. 

• “People who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution.” — Bryan Stevenson, lawyer and social justice activist. 

• “Everybody counts in applying democracy. And there will never be a true democracy until every responsible and law-abiding adult in it, without regard to race, sex, color, or creed, has his or her own inalienable and unpurchasable voice in government.” — Carrie Chapman Catt, women’s suffrage leader.

Representation in politics is about making sure people can speak for themselves. Running for office is one way to open that door for everyone in your community.

LEARN MORE: Explore how diversity in politics strengthens democracy. 

A Final Reminder

Running for office is brave. It’s imperfect. And it’s one of the most direct ways to serve your community.

No matter the level of office you’re aiming for, it’s important to remember: “All politics is local,” as famously said by Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts. 

Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea of running or you’re deep into an election campaign, we’re here to empower you to succeed. GoodParty.org helps Independent and nonpartisan candidates run smarter, stronger, and more people-powered campaigns. From expert guidance to cutting-edge campaign tools, we’re here to help you turn inspiration into action.

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