The
Universal Guide to
Running for Office
Park Cannon
Copyright 2021 by Clyde Publishers, LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying recording or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Note: The following book is designed to give information on running for state-level office.
The purpose of this book is to educate, inspire, and entertain. The author and Clyde Publishers shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.
Consult an attorney for information on all legal matters.
Printed in the United States of America
Edited By:
Elizabeth Clyde (My God Sister and BFF)
Dedication
To: Mommie, Daddy, and Ross
I am the person I am because of your love and support.
My gratitude extends from Georgia to Chicago through New York City to Vermont because I am wherever you are.
Thank you for instilling patience, hard work, compassion, and determination in my leadership.
My moxie comes from yall!
Love,
Park
Foreword
When I met Representative Cannon for the first time, I had limited knowledge of her history outside of the fact she was, at the time, the youngest elected person in the State legislature of Georgia.
What I grew to learn was that she accomplished that remarkable feat, and others amid great adversity and unique challenges.
Furthermore, not only did she win her race in a special election, winning again just weeks later, and continuing an untainted winning streak for the last five years, she was also instrumental in turning Georgia blue.
The accomplishments of Rep. Cannon as the first queer elected in the country, youngest State Representative in Georgia for four years, and currently the youngest female legislator
reflects her grit.
Rep. Cannon is uniquely prepared to help guide anyone, regardless of their identities and challenges, begin their run for office with a tried-and-true road guide to success.
With almost two decades of political management and strategic experience spanning more than two dozen political campaigns across the nation, I can assert, assuredly, that Rep. Cannons Universal Guide to Running for Office is the first stop a political hopeful should make.
For many first-time candidates, running for office is a political labyrinth that even some that consider themselves veterans can easily be lost in.
This Universal Guide will help give you a competitive edge in an industry and world that is notoriously unforgiving and unwelcoming.
Toni J. Watkins
Sr. Project ManagerThe Watkins Group
If you plan on running for office, you want it to be one of the most impactful moments of your existence.
The matters are serious, but the goal is to have fun while we change the world for the better.
I hope you can enjoy my playlist that I listen to while canvassing with my team.
These 24 songs keep me energized and remind me why I ran for office at age 24:
To serve and to see a better world.
Parks Political Playlist
1. Aint No Stopping Us Now by McFadden and Whitehead
2. All For You by Janet Jackson
3. Blessings on Blessings by Anthony Brown
4. Cant Nobody Hold Me Down by Diddy
5. Crazy Classic Life by Janelle Monae
6. Entrepreneur by Jay-Z ft. Pharrell
7. Fight the Power by Public Enemy
8. Human Nature by Madonna
9. Level Up by Ciara
10. Mood 4Eva by Beyonce
11. My Vote Dont Count by Yellopain
12 Never Too Much by Luther Vandross
13. One Of My Favorite Prayers by Dalai Lama
14. Pants On the Ground by Larry Platt
15. Positions by Ariana Grande
16. Pride to the Polls by The Reps ft. Park Cannon
17. September by Earth Wind & Fire
18. Smile by Kirk Franklin
19. Strength, Courage and Wisdom by India Arie
20. Toast by Koffee
21. Twelve (12) Problems by Rapsody
22. We Are One by MAZE ft. Frankie Beverly
23. Whats Going On by Marvin Gaye
24. Work by Rihanna
***
At the conclusion of this book there is a 120-day affirmation journal that I invite you to join me on!
Legislative session in my state begins the second Monday in January and goes for about 4 months, which equals around 120 days.
In numerology, 120 represents that with creativity and communication, all will turn out for the highest good.
Many campaigns are separated by primary and general elections, which also are about 120 days apart.
If you are interested in working with me as a political consulting client, I consult all the time!
All political consultations involve a one-hour strategy session with myself and a member of my team. I even offer a monthly P.I.P class which is political interview preparation!
Reach out via ParkCannonFor58@gmail.com
Id be delighted to be a part of your story!
Table of Contents
chapter 1
What does it take?
You dont make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering, and complaining.
You make progress by implementing ideas.
~Shirley Chisholm~
If you have bought this book, it means you are either considering running for office or are already doing so.
Make this your decision and something that you have made up your mind to do.
Start by owning the belief that you are qualified to run for office and that you are committed to this being your own decision.
It will be imperative that you return to the reasons supporting your decision to run for office, and for me it was:
1. My family supported me.
2. My community asked me.
January 11, 2021
6:30 AM
Ms. Park Cannon
Call me she and her. Which pronouns do you use?
I am writing this to you after returning from a brisk walk with my Yorkie pup, Congress.
It is a great morning in Georgia because today is the first day of the legislative session!
It is a sincere honor to serve in my elected position.
Many of the voters who support me have watched me and prayed for me to win each of my elections.
I do not take for granted my leadership role and I have been serving the Old Fourth Ward community and surrounding areas of the Georgia House of Representatives District 58 since I was twenty-four.
I was attracted to my seat after a fire was lit inside of me upon hearing the verdict of
Michael Browns case.
With a burning desire to bring change to not just The South, but throughout the world, I sat on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol and made a promise to myself.
I told myself that I would make plans to join the political process as a decision maker, thought leader, and ultimately a world changer.
I did not exactly know where to begin, but the flame for change was ignited.
