From the Publisher
We didn't realize that this book would have such wide appeal with candidates. It is being used by people from all walks of life running for all types of elective offices. The biggest surprise since the book's inception just two years ago, was how far the book would sell. While it's main customer base in the United States, the book has been sold all over the world in several different countries. It is even being used by several professors and teachers at universities around the country. The book is in it's second printing now and it has been a sucess.


From the Author
When I first sat down to begin writing this book, my goal was to make it an easy-to-read handbook. A book that could easily be read in one evening. I didn't want a 250 page book that consisted on 125 pages of useless material. This book sticks to the subject and gets right to the point in every chapter. There are no wasted pages in this book. While this book was written with the first-time runner in mind, it will be an invaluable resource for anyone running for office. The book is targeted at people who are running for local office in cities, townships, village's and counties; however, those who are running for state elective offices will find the information in this book just as helpful.


From the Back Cover
Quotes that are listed on the back cover... "This book is like a slap shot, straight to the point and focused." -Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey "This is the book I was looking for when I ran for Congress." -Colleen Howe, former candidate for Congress "An excellent 'how to' book that is practical and easy to understand. I have been a candidate in twenty elections. Your book is a formula for success." -Ed McNamara, County Executive of Wayne County, Michigan, and former Mayor of Livonia, Michigan "Campaign smart! This book will save you time, money and grief!" -Thomas F. Taylor, former Mayor of Westland, Michigan


About the Author
Robert J. Thomas was born in the City of Detroit on September 2, 1950. Robert first moved to Westland, Michigan, when he was about six years old. He began working for the City of Westland in September of 1970 as a water meter reader at the Department of Public Service. For the next 20 years, he held many different job titles for the City. He swept streets, graded gravel roads, plowed snow, trimmed trees, fixed water breaks and even installed underground sewers for the City. He was quite involved in the Union and became the President of AFSCME Local 1602, representing all the maintenance and clerical workers in the City of Westland. Robert first began thinking about running for office in the early eighties. He carefully watched the political scene and waited for the right time to run. Then in June of 1986, he made the decision to run in the 1989 election for Mayor. Over the next three years, he painstakingly and methodically put together a campaign plan that no one believed could be won. Everyone felt that since he was just a DPW worker with no political background, money or real support, that he was wasting his time; especially when he was challenging one of the strongest political machines in the City's history. Of course, the mistake everyone made was underestimating him. That is exactly what he was counting on. His strategy worked perfectly and he accomplished one of the greatest political upsets in Westland's history. The primary was a four-way race. He beat out a former Mayor, who at the time was an incumbent councilman, as well as another incumbent councilman, to be able to face the incumbent Mayor in the November general election. They continued to underestimate him and he went on to win the general election even though he was outspent five to one. He was sworn into office and took the Mayor's seat on January 1, 1990. He has since ran in two reelection campaigns, 1993 and 1997. He won both reelection campaigns by record landslides. Robert is in his third term as Mayor of Westland and has never lost an election.