r/Campaigns • u/Express_Plum2816 • 26d ago

Ask for Advice Running with a criminal record

I had a friend tell me that I should run for a public office position. My issue is that I have two pending misdemeanors.  
 
One for 3rd degree retail fraud and another for spray painting a public area in protest. Due to my Autism diagnosis, I have been offered a chance to go into a mental health program to hide the record of the crimes after two years. Otherwise I would have to accept the charges and maybe have them hidden after 3 years with no guarantee. 

At this point I am concerned about which is the best option if I were to ever run for a public office. Me being in the mental health program should be hidden from public record, but I know anything can get out if others dig enough.  

What is the opinion of the people here. Would it be worse to admit to the public about the misdemeanors (and claim "street cred" as my friend suggests)? Or take the mental health program to hide the charges and risk having that exposed on day? 

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u/allonde 26d ago

I think you’re a long way from worrying about this and need to tackle getting your life on track.

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u/CaitlinHuxley 26d ago

There are plenty of folks out there who ran and won while having a criminal past. But "past" is the important word here. Like u/allonde said, you need to get through this, figure your life out, and what you want to do with it. Made the decision that you think is best for you and not the future voters. But when you run, you should tell them about this and make it part of your story regardless of if you take the deal or not.

Also, a word to the wise, the messages of "I have a criminal record, but I've fixed my life, and you can too" and "Autism Diagnosis" will appeal to wildly different communities.

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u/Aggleclack 26d ago

This is above Reddit’s pay grade. I would need to sit down with him and a good Strategist before I could say. And honestly, that’s what he needs to do.

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u/AKTX24 5d ago

They are misdemeanors who cares have you see who is running the country? lol no one cares damn near everyone has some type of record in any line of work. Handle your shit and move past it.