I've worked at many different businesses over the last few decades to build a career in the private sector. I was wondering what government positions look like.
1) What does running for a locally elected position entail?
2) If I took a "gamble" to get my name on a ballot and win, what are some good paying positions?
3) What positions are easier to win (and pay well)?

I wouldn't think anything other than Mayor or City Manager would pay that well. City Council seems to be a side job for many folks, as least in the suburbs.

Apparently they all "pay well" because once elected those folks never leave.

Well, losing is a good way to get fired from your current position.

City government seems like a huge headache the higher up you go. If you really want to know what it is like then go work in a city department for a few years. Having a root canal seems more enjoyable at times.

I'm voting for Hondo if he runs against John Cornyn.

If you're actually in Hondo your pay should be (and better be) a few hundred bucks a month for city council. County commissioners are likely full-time with benefits. Our small town school board doesn't get paid.

It seems big city Dem politicians grease their own wheels pretty well. It really comes down to size of the entity IMO.

A few of our family friends have held school board and city offices in the Dallas suburbs. It's definitely not something you do for the money. They've easily sunk as much money into their campaigns as they've made from their "salary." It's something they did for their own sense of duty, or pride, or whatever.

I was Mayor of my tiny Texas town for 4 years. Was paid $75 / meeting. (Typically 1 per month). Spent zero money on campaigns. Served 2 terms and did not run for a third.

County jobs are the way to go. Commissioners get paid around $80k annually plus a pickup allowance. County judges are paid around 160k plus that pickup allowance. In Texas.

If you're running for public office for the money, you're doing it for the wrong reason and part of the problem.

From what i remember the local Brazos County Commissioners make around $90K. Not a bad way to supplement your retirement income. Most of them have already retired from their first and sometimes second careers. I think Nancy Berry has been city council, mayor and now Commissioner. You just need a decent size voting block. Outside presidential election years, I think most of these people get voted in with less than 10,000 votes here.

First, don't be a government employee grifter. If you want to do it for the money, just don't.

But if you're set on that path, you need to be a popular, active member, of the largest church, in the largest denomination in your community, to have a chance.

You can't be Catholic and win in a majority Baptist town, and vise versa.

I have run for office twice (for unpaid positions), and lost close elections (15-20 votes) both times, primarily because of church affiliation.

What does a commissioner do exactly?
Is it like a project manager or something?

In rural counties a commissioner runs a road crew and is one of 5 votes on commissioners court to rubber stamp the judge's annual budget. You are one of 4 commissioners, each assigned a quadrant of the county.

Hondo4Texas(fill in the blank)

Jack Squat 83 said:

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If you're actually in Hondo your pay should be (and better be) a few hundred bucks a month for city council. County commissioners are likely full-time with benefits. Our small town school board doesn't get paid.

It seems big city Dem politicians grease their own wheels pretty well. It really comes down to size of the entity IMO.

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Pretty sure NO school board members in Texas get paid a cent. I know I didn't for 16 years.

I know a County judge who was a C student in high school and graduated in the middle of the class. Must not be that hard of a job to make $160 a year.

The county commissioners/ county judges I have known have been mostly retired from a state or city or school district job and are working towards a second pension from the county. Takes 8 years of service iirc.
Several have been retired DPS officers, and Tx prison system, and a Houston firefighter.

I was a non paid City Council member for 6 years.
I'm on record as saying I wouldn't be a City Manager for 500k a year.

Hondo, said:

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I've worked at many different businesses over the last few decades to build a career in the private sector. I was wondering what government positions look like.
1) What does running for a locally elected position entail?
2) If I took a "gamble" to get my name on a ballot and win, what are some good paying positions?
3) What positions are easier to win (and pay well)?

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Thank you for actually doing something about the world we live in.

a07nathanb said:

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I was a non paid City Council member for 6 years.
I'm on record as saying I wouldn't be a City Manager for 500k a year.

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I couldn't agree more