Psychologists are serving in several state legislatures and gaining fi
rsthand experience as political candidates. This article chronicles a
psychologist's 1994 campaign for the Washington State House of Represe
ntatives. Campaign vignettes, political strategies, and the candidate'
s personal perceptions illuminate the value (even necessity) of psycho
logists entering politics. Psychologists bring to legislative delibera
tions a strong fund of knowledge about critical social issues such as
health care, violence, and children's needs. Psychologists also posses
s effective interpersonal and group dynamic skills that can be real as
sets in developing public policy. A commitment to advocacy for mental
health services and a community service ethic provide motivation for s
eeking office; indeed, entering politics can be viewed more as a logic
al extension of psychological work than as a deviation from it.