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This is a guest opinion column

I happen to be a Democrat through and through pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ rights, anti-death penalty, pro-taxing-the-rich, pro-criminal justice reform. So clearly I support candidates who share those values. But this Tuesdays primary election is less about arguing over policy positions and more about who you want representing those policies. So how do you decide who to support in the primary? Here are the top 10 things I look for in a candidate to support:

1) First and foremost, a great candidate is someone with the courage to run even (and especially) if the seat is not likely to be won. Running should never be about boosting your own brand or your own ego. Even when you cant win, running is about making the place you live a better place for everyone else to live. Every campaign is an opportunity to build community and empower residents to speak up for what they need and want.

2) An excellent candidate has a track record of involvement/service in the community, and/or expertise in areas over which the position has power. If a Google search of your name brings back no evidence of that, Im skeptical that this is more than a fleeting interest.

3) A candidate worth our support is willing to do the hard work that needs to be done even if its boring, painful, awkward, or monotonous. (This means doing the endless hours of fundraising calls, but also showing up to community events, putting down the microphone, and really listening to people about whats affecting their lives.) The truly dedicated will outwork the competition and out-slog the slog.

4) A great candidate can tell a compelling story. Communication skills are key for getting things done as an elected official, and the campaign is the perfect opportunity to show them off. If a candidate cant explain why a policy matters and why theyre the best person for the job, if they cant answer questions off-the-cuff in public forum, they probably wont be a very good leader once in office.

5) A candidate worth supporting is one who understands the political game - the rings that want to be kissed, the endorsements that matter, the machines that expect payment, the rivalries to balance - and yet isnt captured by that game. I dont like the political game, its dirty and benefits only the elite. But if a candidate doesnt understand it and cant play it (at least a little), they will get eaten alive once in office.

6) A candidate to believe in is one with focus and discipline. They make a plan and work that plan, willing to change tactics (or even change their mind!) when the situation truly demands it, but not easily distracted or discouraged by their detractors. If a candidate is constantly changing positions and releasing new messaging in response to what their opponent said, they probably dont have thick enough skin for this work.

7) An excellent candidate will have experience commensurate with the position they seek. Not everyone needs to be a lawyer or even have a degree, but if the job requires managing a staff, if it requires managing a budget, it wont be their first time. If you are going to be responsible for creating policy related to energy and utilities, for example, youd better be able to talk intelligently about how all that works.

8) Plenty of people can loudly lament problems and condemn enemies, but a stand-out candidate will be more interested in solving problems and building bridges. My ideal candidate is practical, willing to sacrifice purity of ideals in favor of making peoples lives better. I want someone who can propose novel policy solutions, but also get behind someone elses solution if its the one that can actually get passed.

9) An inspiring candidate is one who recognizes that this campaign (and policy making if elected) will be a team effort, not a solo act. Whether the campaign team is paid or volunteer, experienced or new, they will lead that team by being its hardest working member and its biggest cheerleader. Once in office, I expect theyll know how to surround themselves with smart advisors.

10) Last (and perhaps most unusual), when choosing who to invest in, I look at whether the candidate has supported other candidates (with time or money) in the past. If youve never given to someone elses campaign, how can you ask others to show up for you?

(You can find out which if any federal campaigns a candidate has donated to by searching at https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/ . You can find out the same about state campaigns at https://fcpa.alabamavotes.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/ContributionSearch.aspx You might be surprised to find, for example, that most of the Republican candidates for Governor and US Senate never gave a dime to Donald Trumps campaign.)

Tabitha K. Isner is a business analyst, ordained minister, foster/adoptive mom, activist for government transparency, and was the 2018 Democratic nominee for Alabamas 2nd Congressional District.

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Guest opinion: 10 things to look for in picking a candidate - whether Republican or Democrat - AL.com