Yesterday, I filed my candidacy form with the U.S. Federal Elections Committee (FEC). I am running for United States (U.S.) Senate in 2022 for the state of Missouri. Shorthand it reads, “Strauss for 22”. Part of declaring is forming a Campaign Committee and getting my ducks in a row in regards to donations (money coming in) and expenditures (money going out).

I left my party affiliation blank. I reached out to the Democratic Party, but I have not heard back. Actually, I heard that Scott Sifton has just declared his candidacy. I think this is a positive development. We need more people running for office and caring about this State and Country.

There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution about political parties — nothing about Democrats, nothing about Republicans. However running as an Independent is hard. Especially in Missouri. I am thinking perhaps of running as a Green.

I feel that my run is already been a success. I took a big, big step just deciding to run. Definitely improved my mental health. But for me to be a serious candidate, will take your active participation. I need to hear from you, and I need donations. Send me e-mail at Strauss for US Senator in 22 Or twitter me at @nickstrauss

The form is at the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) website You can print out the form and fill it out, and send it in, or you can use the web-based form and fill that out. The advantage to the web based form is that you can instantly register. When using the web-based form, you have to fill in a party affliation. I chused “Unknown” because I don’t know what party I am running in.

The more difficult and more consequential registration is at the state. Under the U.S. Constitution, all elections are each State’s responsibility. So, getting your name on a primary, or a ballot is governed under State Law. And this can be quite intimidating for the novice politician.

I went to the Missouri Secretary of State (SoS) website and their elections page. Although the US Constitution does not refer to political parties, George Washington in his “Farewell Address” warned of the undue power and influence of parties. The reality is that getting elected is quite difficult, and getting a party behind your candidacy can make life much easier. “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual”

I would like to thank Mr. Donald J. Trump for setting an example. No, I don’t mean that example! But, seriously, I was attracted way back in 2016 that an outsider — someone who is not a professional politician — can get involved. At that time, I didn’t appreciate the toxic effect that being a billionaire could have on our electoral process. I wish I knew then, what I know now. Money makes a huge difference, and can make a deciding difference.

If you go to the Missouri GOP website you can see the influence of Mr. Trump in the “Trump victory leadership initiative provides the training and experience our volunteers need to become the next leaders in their communities”. I don’t know about you, but this is one of the reasons that the GOP doesn’t attract my candidacy. I would like to steer as far as possible from Trumpism as I can.

If you aren’t endorsed by an established Political Party (in Missouri, there are Democrat, GOP, Libertarian, Constitution, and Green) then you can either (a.) start your own party. (b.) run as an independent (c.) run as a “write-in”. We can dismiss “write-in” because this is really a protest vote, and not a serious attempt. If you have the resources (a.) and (b.) can be viable alternatives, the major obstacle is that you need to circulate a state-wide petition for your candidacy — and get about 10,0000 certified signatures. I am still learning the Missouri state election law cipher, but that seems to be the case.

So, it really is a two-party game. Which is what I expected.

I called the Missouri SoS Elections office, and they called me back, and I got some answers. First, there is no Green party anymore, because they didn’t get enough votes in the last election. So, the choices are GOP, Democrat, Libertarian or Constitution.

What about me circulating a petition? A 10,000 signature petition. This is guaranteed in the First Amendment — the right to petition the Government.