--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Office holders are a self-selected group…" description: "\"Office holders are a self-selected group; you don't get elected if you don't put your name on the ballot. There are many people who would do a great jo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/john-sununu-10818_badgers_office-holders-are-a-self-selected-group_1729731.jpg" --- # Office holders are a self-selected group; you don't get… ![“Office holders are a self-selected group; you don't get elected if you don't put your name on the ballot. There are many people who would do a great job, but who would never think to run. Find them. Badger them. Get them elected. They might not thank you for it, but a lot of other people will.” quote by John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/john-sununu-10818_badgers_office-holders-are-a-self-selected-group_1729731.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/john-sununu-10818_badgers_office-holders-are-a-self-selected-group_1729731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/john-sununu-10818_badgers_office-holders-are-a-self-selected-group_1729731.jpg) > “Office holders are a self-selected group; you don't get elected if you don't put your name on the ballot. There are many people who would do a great job, but who would never think to run. Find them. Badger them. Get them elected. They might not thank you for it, but a lot of other people will.” [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑selection limits leadership; proactive outreach can recruit capable but reluctant candidates. **In simple terms:** Find and encourage hidden talent to run for office. Key Takeaway Identify and motivate qualified individuals to seek election. Themes politics leadership participation recruitment Mood optimistic pragmatic Type inspirational strategic When to use this quote - local elections - nonprofit boards - community councils Key Concepts civic engagement candidate development grassroots activism Questions to Reflect On - What barriers stop capable people from candidacy? - How can we create supportive pathways? A Different Perspective People may resist being urged to run; success depends on personal ambition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Badgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badgers/) [Ballot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballot/) [Ballot People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballot-people-886783/) [Ballots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballots/) [Elected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elected/) [Great job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-job/) [Groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groups/) [Holders Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holders-self-1419115/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Office Holders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office-holders-1419114/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Thank you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thank-you/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) ## Related quotes > [I want to be the candidate placed on the ballot by the people, not the party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-want-to-be-the-candidate-placed-on-the-ballot-by-the-people-not-the/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [We should be doing everything we can to make it as convenient as possible for eligible Americans to cast a ballot. People fought and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-kander/we-should-be-doing-everything-we-can-to-make-it-as-convenient-as/) [Jason Kander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-kander/) > [Given the right to a free ballot, the people would support my return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benazir-bhutto/given-the-right-to-a-free-ballot-the-people-would-support-my-return/) [Benazir Bhutto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benazir-bhutto/) > [I do know that there are down-ballot people who have run on the Green Party, and some have been successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-malveaux/i-do-know-that-there-are-down-ballot-people-who-have-run-on-the-green/) [Julianne Malveaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-malveaux/) > [I've been elected numerous times in South Carolina. If I'm on the ballot, I'm going to win South Carolina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-ve-been-elected-numerous-times-in-south-carolina-if-i-m-on-the/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [If the ballot doesn't work, we'll try something else. But let us try the ballot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/if-the-ballot-doesn-t-work-we-ll-try-something-else-but-let-us-try/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [There is a subset of Democrats who tend to mis-fill out ballots. The way you mark the ballot is like an S.A.T. - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/there-is-a-subset-of-democrats-who-tend-to-mis-fill-out-ballots-the/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [The right to participate in the choice of representatives for Congress includes, as we have said, the right to cast a ballot and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-f-stone/the-right-to-participate-in-the-choice-of-representatives-for/) [Harlan F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-f-stone/) > [I'm not saying anything one way or the other about the two ballot issues. I am not speaking about the particular ballot issues. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-m-not-saying-anything-one-way-or-the-other-about-the-two-ballot/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Our cause is a common one. It is war between poverty and wealth. ... This moneyed power is fast eating up the substance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-sylvis/our-cause-is-a-common-one-it-is-war-between-poverty-and-wealth-this/) [William H. Sylvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-sylvis/) > [It's not the hand that signs the laws that holds the destiny of America. It's the hand that casts the ballot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-s-not-the-hand-that-signs-the-laws-that-holds-the-destiny-of/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Vote counting and ballot collecting does not occur in the light of day. There are too many occasions when observers and opposing parties lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-schaffer/vote-counting-and-ballot-collecting-does-not-occur-in-the-light-of/) [Bob Schaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-schaffer/) > [If I put myself on the ballot and even 50 people voted for me, it'd be a travesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/if-i-put-myself-on-the-ballot-and-even-50-people-voted-for-me-it-d-be/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [I think it's best if there's an amendment that goes on the ballot where the people can weigh in. Every time this issue has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/i-think-it-s-best-if-there-s-an-amendment-that-goes-on-the-ballot/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [If you don't know, your labor unions and community organizations, there's somebody you can ask to guide you. A lot of people, especially in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolores-huerta/if-you-don-t-know-your-labor-unions-and-community-organizations-there/) [Dolores Huerta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolores-huerta/) ## More by John Sununu > [The public should begin to understand that there's nothing that comes out of this campaign, or this Obama White House, that they can believe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-public-should-begin-to-understand-that-there-s-nothing-that-comes/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [As a boy, when I was bad, my mother would chew me out in Spanish. And since I was bad a lot, I learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/as-a-boy-when-i-was-bad-my-mother-would-chew-me-out-in-spanish-and/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [Mitt Romney has made it clear that he believes that President Obama was born in the U.S.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/mitt-romney-has-made-it-clear-that-he-believes-that-president-obama/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [A candidate who tries to steer a path down the middle in an effort to 'win independents' runs the risk of convincing everyone that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/a-candidate-who-tries-to-steer-a-path-down-the-middle-in-an-effort-to/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [We'll always have bureaucracies, but bureaucracies led by bureaucrats might be too much of a bad thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/we-ll-always-have-bureaucracies-but-bureaucracies-led-by-bureaucrats/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [I loved my time in Congress, but people who spend all of their time planning to run for office have very few useful skills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/i-loved-my-time-in-congress-but-people-who-spend-all-of-their-time/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [The Internet will win because it is relentless. Like a cannibal, it even turns on it own. Though early portals like Prodigy and AOL…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-internet-will-win-because-it-is-relentless-like-a-cannibal-it/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [Having a Congress with a more diverse educational and professional background would serve the country well. And given the budget challenges facing America today,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/having-a-congress-with-a-more-diverse-educational-and-professional/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [This is technology that will not go away. And to risk it moving into the hands of a terrorist group like al Qaeda or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/this-is-technology-that-will-not-go-away-and-to-risk-it-moving-into/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [The constant need for special waivers is symptomatic of poorly written public policy. It's a signal that the cost of compliance is unreasonably high;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-constant-need-for-special-waivers-is-symptomatic-of-poorly/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [If you wait until those weapons pose a direct, clear, present danger to the United States, you've probably waited too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/if-you-wait-until-those-weapons-pose-a-direct-clear-present-danger-to/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [I'm running for senator because it's time for a change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/i-m-running-for-senator-because-it-s-time-for-a-change/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [Critics might contend that putting former private-sector CEOs in the president's Cabinet places the fox in the henhouse. But it's unlikely such executives would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/critics-might-contend-that-putting-former-private-sector-ceos-in-the/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [It's counterintuitive, but the most divisive arrangement is when the same party controls both Congress and the presidency, a situation encountered in eight of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/it-s-counterintuitive-but-the-most-divisive-arrangement-is-when-the/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [For most Americans, Friday afternoons are filled with positive anticipation of the weekend. In Washington, it's where government officials dump stories they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/for-most-americans-friday-afternoons-are-filled-with-positive/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) [Explore all 63 John Sununu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) ## More Badgers quotes > [I couldn't be more chuffed if I were a badger at the start of the mating season!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holloway/i-couldn-t-be-more-chuffed-if-i-were-a-badger-at-the-start-of-the/) [Ian Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holloway/) > [“Badgers swarm out of the sand; Talk and walk, don't run or stand. Pritaries bite and bite again; Kick and shout and run like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-k-harper/badgers-swarm-out-of-the-sand-talk-and-walk-don-t-run-or-stand/) [Tara K. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-k-harper/) > [Who is Alice?" asked mother. "Alice is somebody that nobody can see," said Frances. "And that is why she does not have a birthday.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hoban/who-is-alice-asked-mother-alice-is-somebody-that-nobody-can-see-said/) [Russell Hoban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hoban/) > [It’s probably the most unpopular policy I’m responsible for. I know it is very unpopular, culling badgers. But I believe it is the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/it-s-probably-the-most-unpopular-policy-i-m-responsible-for-i-know-it/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [One of the recurring philosophical questions is: 'Does a falling tree in the forest make a sound when there is no one to hear?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/one-of-the-recurring-philosophical-questions-is-does-a-falling-tree/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Cubans understand that theirs is a country that provides sanctuary for people fleeing oppression. As a nation, they are very proud of this stance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assata-shakur/cubans-understand-that-theirs-is-a-country-that-provides-sanctuary/) [Assata Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assata-shakur/) > [From a conservation issue alone, you'd have to say there are too many badgers. A bigger growth in the badger population is not good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/princess-anne/from-a-conservation-issue-alone-you-d-have-to-say-there-are-too-many/) [Princess Anne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/princess-anne/) > [I'm running for Governor, and this Honey Badger is ready to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gessler/i-m-running-for-governor-and-this-honey-badger-is-ready-to-fight/) [Scott Gessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gessler/) > [Well, I'm more lopsided than a one-legged badger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/well-i-m-more-lopsided-than-a-one-legged-badger/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [Don't badger people without children into admitting the secret desire for children you're sure they have to you! Don't badger anyone! Leave the badgering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/don-t-badger-people-without-children-into-admitting-the-secret-desire/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [We shall creep out quietly into the butler's pantry--" cried the Mole. "--with out pistols and swords and sticks--" shouted ther Rat. "--and rush…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-grahame/we-shall-creep-out-quietly-into-the-butler-s-pantry-cried-the-mole/) [Kenneth Grahame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-grahame/) > [ \[Leafpool\] waved her tail in greeting as she padded past Cloudtail and Daisy; as she left the clearing she heard Cloudtail meowing, "This time… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/leafpool-waved-her-tail-in-greeting-as-she-padded-past-cloudtail-and/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [I therefore invite you all," Mr Fox went on, 'to stay here with me for ever.' For ever!' they cried. 'My goodness! How marvellous!'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/i-therefore-invite-you-all-mr-fox-went-on-to-stay-here-with-me-for/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [Everything is made out of Magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/everything-is-made-out-of-magic-leaves-and-trees-flowers-and-birds/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [Simple,' Tummeler replied.' Blueberries is one of the great forces o'good in the world.' How do you figure that?' said Charles. Well,' said Tummeler,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-owen/simple-tummeler-replied-blueberries-is-one-of-the-great-forces-o-good/) [James A. Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-owen/) [Browse all 50 Badgers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badgers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Office holders are a self-selected group; you don't get elected if you don't put your name on the ballot. There are many people who would do a great job, but who would never think to run. Find them. Badger them. Get them elected. 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