Husband Wanting to Go into Politics - What Is My Role?

I suggest you get out there and meet some wives/spouses of people in public service. Ask them to speak candidly to you about the pressures and stresses as well as the benefits of public life as the spouse.

First step - get off of this website and all other sites like this. Not that you've done anything wrong, but when opponents and others are trying to dig up dirt - any dirt, anything - on your husband, they might find this, do some poking around, and use it against him. You've probably never done anything wrong, shady, questionable at all...but look at this site as a whole. How might it reflect on your family?

If you are on Facebook, make sure anything and everything is bland, boring, and generic. Avoid posting too many personal details or information or anything that might shed a negative light on your husband.

A career (yes, it can be a career) as a politician's wife can be rewarding, fulfilling, yet tough. Surround yourself with a solid network of trustworthy friends and hold on tight!

You will need to be very open and honest with each other, as politics is a very time-consuming occupation, with not much monetary reward for the required hours. You can expect your husband to be working most of 7 days a week, especially during election season. Your role can be what you want it to be - minimal, with occasional participation and support in parades/rallies or support at town halls/constituent outreach events or a complete behind-the-scenes working full-time mom. You could also be very much involved in his campaign and hopefully providing strategic advice in his decision-making. My only advice would be that you're honest about the time commitment required on his behalf and I hope that you have family/friends or the means to pay for help with your kids. Politics is a terrific career and a noble cause but I've also had many people say that they wanted to make some money and wait until the kids were a little older before they made the commitment. It also depends at what level your husband wants to aim for - local with greater aspirations or not. I hope that helps and good luck!

I worked in politics for a while (small roles, I was young) so I can't be of "expert" opinion or advice here, but I worked on many campaigns and assisted the wives of candidates plenty of times.

Id say from my experience that the wives, themselves, were usually involved in SOME kind of charity or community work. Not sure if that is coincidence or expected. But if your husband hires a campaign staff, his adviser will definitely help you through this as well. If his role in politics is large (like senate for example) you will likely have your own assistant to help you through the campaign bc your role will be HUGE.

Just depends on what kind of politics.
County Sheriff, Mayor, Prosecutor, Senator, Representative... depending on his role; is what defines your role.

And what are his long-term goals. Does he plan to take his political career far? (then you have to talk about ghosts in the closet) Or will he be comfortable sitting one place once he gets there?

Well .... do as the first lady. You can sit back and travel and drink a little wine. If you are drinking the wine, then you will not be as stressed from all the appearances that you have to make with your husband. Just smile and nod. Good luck!

With two small children, try to stay out of the spotlight. Stay home and raise your children, get dressed up and go with him to special events, but other than that its his thing for now.
Later in his political career, when your children will be older, you may have a more prominent roll. (helping him get elected, doing charity work, etc)
Just make sure you look nice when you leave the house from now on, keep your cool in public, don't post any personal information on any websites, and only talk openly to a few trustworthy friends and family.
God bless you on this adventure.

Women are a huge constituency. You can help get him votes by joining civic organizations and volunteering. I know you work. But some things are just occasional. For instance if youj oin the Chamber of Commerce, you can network for your job and for him at the same time. Your boss may let you go to represent his office during working hours. They have a luncheon once a month, so it's not a big time comittment. But that get's you on all sorts of lists and gives you a leg up.

To talk him out of it....;-)

Seriously, it depends on what level he's looking for politically. Carry on with your career and your children, but understand that at some point you may be called on to appear in public, speak in certain forums and be photographed as a family. If he's going to the national level, get used to being known as _____'s wife. Also -at any level, but particularly at a state or national level, be prepared for scrutiny and to have every move -even very private ones -called into question. This includes your financial picture and anything in either of your pasts. Good luck!