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Good intentions aren't good enough when it comes to running for public office.

We're sure when the Libertarian candidate for justice of the peace in District 13, a large district covering south-central Benton County, signed up back on Feb. 28, he believed a run for public office was a civic-minded thing to do.

Last week, though, he told a reporter he's not "actively" running although his name will appear on the ballot in November. The reason: He doesn't have time, what with being busy with family and work.

He's not alone. Things do have a way of getting busy these days, and only the candidate can make a decision as to whether his heart is in it.

He's not the first nor will he be the last Arkansan to get caught up in the political moment, file for office then realize that actually running for election is hard work. That's particularly true when one decides to challenge an incumbent of a dozen years.

Truth be told, longtime Justice of the Peace Kurt Moore had and has every reason to expect to be reelected. His constituents have seen their way to elect him over and over and over.

Still, when someone files to run for election, it would be nice if they've given the move the weighty consideration it deserves before filing the paperwork for the contest.

Too often, we've seen political party organizers so eager to make their numbers, their only requirement for a candidate is that he or she can fog a mirror. Certainly, we've seen elected politicians whose capacity to do that could be questioned, but we'd rather see a genuine vacancy in the contest than to witness a party content with warm-body candidates.

It makes us appreciate the people who run for public office and actually mean it. Running for election, and certainly holding public office, can be a thankless task. The issues require time and considerable thought once a candidate is elected, if not before.

More people ought to embrace community service through seeking public office or volunteering to be on the boards and commissions of your local city or county. There's a real need and it matters when people are committed to involvement.

We don't criticize this one candidate for making a choice he felt was the right one. Rather, we encourage others to consider the call to public service in the way they feel they can best contribute.

There's always another election around the corner.

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NWA EDITORIAL | Public service is a noble calling in need of those willing to answer - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette