Hi there --
In over two years, Run For Something has endorsed over 800 candidates for state and local office. Today, we’re offering a closer look at one of our alumni, Ben Ku. In 2018, Ben Ku was elected County Commissioner of District 2 in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Since taking office, Ben has begun work on a number of local initiatives to help support the needs of his community. Take a minute to read our chat with Ben, then chip in to help us find and support candidates like him.
Thanks!
Run for Something
What have you been up to since taking office?
Lots of training, meetings, and votes. Also working with our local delegation on legislation.
We’ve been working with the delegation on a potential annexation of a large portion of the county, we’ve been working on a transit referendum my predecessor decided to put as a special election so it lost, but we learned lots and got lots of good feedback so I’ve been working on having a better showing next time. I’ve been doing lots of county commissioner trainings out of town with ACCG (Association of County Commissioners of Georgia). I’m working on making our non-discrimination policies consistent and updated. And there is a group working on getting the commissioners not to renew the Sheriff’s 287(g) agreement with ICE. And I’ve been working on bringing back glass recycling and adding bag recycling and reducing waste in the county.
When did you know you wanted to run for office?
When the opportunity presented itself and I did some soul searching and realized that this is something I needed to do. I live in an unincorporated part of the county and I (and many of my neighbors) felt the unincorporated area wasn’t getting proper representation. I realized that I had the ability to run so it was really my duty to step up and run. As a software engineer and not your typical lawyer or lobbyist or activist, I figured I could bring a very unique perspective to the board of commissioners which I’ve been doing.
What did running for office teach you about yourself?
I have much more support than I realized. I had a lot of support from friends and family, but I also got a lot of support from neighbors and community leaders I hadn’t even met before last year. I learned I need to do a better job of work-life balance and that I have a big heart that leads me to take on more than I’m really able to.
What did running for office teach you about your community?
I have some amazing neighbors who are passionate and capable.There’s one of my constituents who went to the church I grew up in and helped me a ton with field and events without ever being asked. She just did what needed to be done. I have another constituent who I met at a REP GA training and has been one of the many supporters who have provided financial and more importantly emotional support through what has been one of the most grueling things I’ve done in my life.
What was the most interesting lesson you took from your first few months in office?
Make sure to make time for yourself. I can be accessible without being available 24/7. One of the things I’ve done has been to hold open office hours where people can come meet me which saves me from booking all my time with meetings but still allows me to be accessible to my constituents and is even more convenient often since it’s around the district and a different times. I’ve also been holding town halls which are great group discussions that are very similar to campaign events/meet and greets, but it’s much nicer not having the pressure of the campaigning.
Do you have a memorable moment or funny story about what it’s like to be a brand new elected official?
Keep true to yourself. I took a selfie with the judge who swore me in and it was very humorous and yet appropriate.
What advice would you give someone who is sitting on the fence about running for office?
Put yourself out there and try. If you won’t step up and run and be the change, you can’t be surprised when we get bad politicians in office.
