--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't set out with the notion of…" description: "\"I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective office; it sort of grew over time. And I honestly at times questioned if progressive change ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/bill-de-blasio-11259_change_i-didn-t-set-out-with-the-notion-of-runn_1379982.png" --- # I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective… ![“I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective office; it sort of grew over time. And I honestly at times questioned if progressive change can be effected through elected office.” quote by Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/bill-de-blasio-11259_change_i-didn-t-set-out-with-the-notion-of-runn_1379982.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/bill-de-blasio-11259_change_i-didn-t-set-out-with-the-notion-of-runn_1379982.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/bill-de-blasio-11259_change_i-didn-t-set-out-with-the-notion-of-runn_1379982.png) > “I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective office; it sort of grew over time. And I honestly at times questioned if progressive change can be effected through elected office.” [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He entered politics unintentionally, questioning whether elected office can drive progressive change. **In simple terms:** Political involvement can be unexpected and uncertain. Key Takeaway Consider the impact of public service. Themes politics progress intentionality Mood reflective determined Type political inspirational When to use this quote - campaign planning - policy advocacy - community organizing Key Concepts democracy public service change management Questions to Reflect On - What motivates you to seek change? - Can change happen outside formal politics? A Different Perspective Electoral systems may limit radical reforms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Elective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elective/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Progressive change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progressive-change/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [It is a travesty for anyone who is elected to office, who serves in an elective office, to engage in voter suppression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/it-is-a-travesty-for-anyone-who-is-elected-to-office-who-serves-in-an/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [When a nation has just emerged from the throes of a great civil warfare, where section was arrayed against section, class against class, two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucius-quintus-cincinnatus-lamar-ii/when-a-nation-has-just-emerged-from-the-throes-of-a-great-civil/) [Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucius-quintus-cincinnatus-lamar-ii/) > [A good part of 'The Information' is about the transition from an oral to a literary culture. Books effected such a great transformation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gleick/a-good-part-of-the-information-is-about-the-transition-from-an-oral/) [James Gleick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gleick/) > [All change, all production and generation are effected through the word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/all-change-all-production-and-generation-are-effected-through-the-word/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [How many things... are looked upon as quite impossible until they have been actually effected?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/how-many-things-are-looked-upon-as-quite-impossible-until-they-have/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Great things have been effected by a few men well conducted;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-rogers-clark/great-things-have-been-effected-by-a-few-men-well-conducted/) [George Rogers Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-rogers-clark/) > [The charge was left entirely to himself from midnight until the rising of the sun; and if all the shepherds in the Forest had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hogg/the-charge-was-left-entirely-to-himself-from-midnight-until-the/) [James Hogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hogg/) > [A choreographer deals with the movement that you create, and with a creative director it's about the story, the stage, the lighting, the costuming,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurieann-gibson/a-choreographer-deals-with-the-movement-that-you-create-and-with-a/) [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) > [Defence was an afterthought, prompted by necessity; and its introduction as a State function, though effected doubtless with a view to the strengthening of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-tucker/defence-was-an-afterthought-prompted-by-necessity-and-its/) [Benjamin Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-tucker/) > [I was eleventh-grade class president. That was the first elective office I held until I came into Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-edwards/i-was-eleventh-grade-class-president-that-was-the-first-elective/) [Donna Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-edwards/) > [Under the circumstances, may I suggest another means of encouraging probity in elective office. I refer to term limitations, which can serve ends beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-l-buckley/under-the-circumstances-may-i-suggest-another-means-of-encouraging/) [James L. Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-l-buckley/) > [The only way you approach politics and seek elective office is to move forward. For me to look back in anger or with any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/the-only-way-you-approach-politics-and-seek-elective-office-is-to/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [It's hard to have both parents involved in elective office at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/it-s-hard-to-have-both-parents-involved-in-elective-office-at-the/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [I don't see myself in any way in elective office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-don-t-see-myself-in-any-way-in-elective-office/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) ## More by Bill de Blasio > [A holistic solution to income inequality is going to take a lot of work, but every time you prove that one of the strands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/a-holistic-solution-to-income-inequality-is-going-to-take-a-lot-of/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I haven't smoked marijuana since I was at NYU,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-haven-t-smoked-marijuana-since-i-was-at-nyu/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I've spent my life at public work, and I've spent many a day on a good cause that didn't have any lift, didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-ve-spent-my-life-at-public-work-and-i-ve-spent-many-a-day-on-a-good/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [If we can have a fast food restaurant on almost every corner, then we can certainly have a garden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/if-we-can-have-a-fast-food-restaurant-on-almost-every-corner-then-we/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I've always had a very positive relationship with the municipal labor unions - a respectful relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-ve-always-had-a-very-positive-relationship-with-the-municipal-labor/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [Everything you heard about me is true. . . . I am not a free marketer. . . . I believe in the heavy hand of government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/everything-you-heard-about-me-is-true-i-am-not-a-free-marketer-i/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I think unionization is good public policy. I think when families secure their economic future, that's good for everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-think-unionization-is-good-public-policy-i-think-when-families/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [We do not ask more of the wealthy to punish success; we do it to create more success stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/we-do-not-ask-more-of-the-wealthy-to-punish-success-we-do-it-to/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I know the ugly history of corporate welfare, and that's not New York City's future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-know-the-ugly-history-of-corporate-welfare-and-that-s-not-new-york/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I think small business is struggling in New York City. It's a fantastic market, it's a very appealing market, there's lots of opportunity, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-think-small-business-is-struggling-in-new-york-city-it-s-a/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [My parents were divorced when I was young. I was really brought up by my mother's side of the family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/my-parents-were-divorced-when-i-was-young-i-was-really-brought-up-by/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [At a certain point, particularly in his third term, Mayor Bloomberg lost touch with the people he was serving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/at-a-certain-point-particularly-in-his-third-term-mayor-bloomberg/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [My wife and family, to say the least, are the center of my life; they are my grounding. I don't want to sound schmaltzy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/my-wife-and-family-to-say-the-least-are-the-center-of-my-life-they/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I think you can be smart and directed and focused, without being obnoxious, and get plenty done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-think-you-can-be-smart-and-directed-and-focused-without-being/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I, thank God, don't engage in punditry anymore. That part of my life is behind me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-thank-god-don-t-engage-in-punditry-anymore-that-part-of-my-life-is/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) [Explore all 61 Bill de Blasio quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective office; it sort of grew over time. 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