Running for office requires significant changes to lifestyle, loss of personal privacy, and financial impact. Candidates typically raise and spend around $1 million to several million for competitive congressional races, and far more for statewide or presidential campaigns. These decisions can lead to intense scrutiny of candidates' personal lives, including their character, qualifications for office, and potential hypocrisy. Despite these challenges, running for office is essential for democracy as it is one of the best ways to participate. Emily Gregory, a first-time Democratic candidate, recently flipped District 87 of the Florida House of Representatives, winning with a two percentage point lead over Republican Jon Maple in a district that includes Trump’s home, Mar-a-Lago. A study from Yale University highlights historical evidence of the rise of safe seats in U.S. House districts, which often lead to partisan polarization and low turnout, and suggests recruiting more candidates willing to compete in unfavorable districts to further shift the political landscape.