My grandfather was an old-school Harry Truman Democrat who was highly regarded in local party circles. They were always after him to run for local office.
Although he would have done a fantastic job, he steadfastly refused every time, soley over the issue of what would likely happen to his family as a result of the campaign.
Anybody in the extended family who had a drinking problem, a criminal record, a child out of wedlock, etc. would have been fair game.
Slimeball politics keeps many good, decent and capable people like my grandfather and Sarah deterred from holding office.
Sad...one wonders how many of those good and decent people have 'opted out'of public service for this very reason. A pox on these media vultures...