So You Want to be a Candidate?

Being a candidate for elected office is easier said than done. Join Mike Sistak, AFBF Director of Advocacy and Political Management, and Pete Flores, Atascosa County, Texas Farm Bureau member and Texas State Senator, for a discussion about running for office. Mike Sistak will share his knowledge of managing campaigns and Senator Flores will discuss his experiences as candidate. Attendees will also learn about the campaign management school offered by AFBF available to all Farm Bureau members interested in running for office.

Speakers:

Pete Flores, Texas State Senator

Mike Sistak

Director, Advocacy & Political Management

Mike Sistak is AFBF’s Director of Advocacy and Political Management. In this capacity he assists state Farm Bureaus with their Political Action Committee management, prepares political analysis, engages candidates for federal office, and supports AFBF advocacy initiatives, including grassroots trainings and teaching campaign management seminars.

Mike has over a decade of political experience. He has previously worked on Capitol Hill, in senior government relations roles in Arizona, and has worked on multiple campaigns for the House, Senate, and White House. He was previously AFBF’s Director of Grassroots Program Development from 2019-2021.

Mike graduated from The University of Arizona with a BA in Political Science and MA in International Security Studies.

Mike and his wife Maddy are originally from Phoenix, Arizona and now reside in Fairfax, Virginia.