How to Say “Run for Office” in Spanish

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postularse para un cargo
/postulaɾse paɾa un kaɾɡo/from spelling rules
To run for office in Spanish is postularse para un cargo.
The phrase is used to describe being a candidate in an election for a political position. You can customize this expression by replacing un cargo (a position/office) with a specific office, such as la presidencia to say run for president or el cargo de alcalde to say run for the office of mayor. On an informal level, the expression meterse en política can be used to highlight the act of getting involved in politics and the desire to run for office.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of postularse, which means to nominate oneself or to apply and para un cargo, which means for a position or office.

Which one should you use?

While postularse para un cargo is the standard phrase, you may encounter other variations: Postularse para un cargo público is a neutral way to say run for office. Presentarse como candidato is used to indicate the act of presenting oneself as a candidate. Participar en una contienda electoral is an appropriate way to express the concept in the context of a formal electoral competition. And presentarse a unas elecciones is a common way to say to run in an election.

How does it change in a sentence?

The verb postularse is reflexive, which means the subject is the one performing the action of applying for the position.

How do you pronounce it?

/postulaɾse paɾa un kaɾɡo/

Did you know?

  • In some Latin American countries, you might hear the expression tirarse a la política to describe someone running for office. This is a much more colloquial and slightly irreverent way to say someone is 'throwing themselves' into politics.
  • The word cargo comes from the verb cargar, which means 'to load' or 'to carry'. This frames a political office not just as a position of power, but as a 'load' or a burden of responsibility to be carried.
  • The term contienda electoral is used for formal competitions. The word contienda shares a root with 'contention' and implies a struggle or a fight, giving the election a more combative tone than a simple 'contest'.

Examples in context

  • Juan decidió postularse para un cargo público en las próximas elecciones municipales.
    Juan decided to run for office in the upcoming municipal elections.
  • María se presentó como candidata a la alcaldía del pueblo.
    María ran for office as a mayoral candidate in the town.
  • Los partidos políticos están buscando buenos candidatos para participar en la contienda electoral.
    Political parties are looking for strong candidates to run for office in the electoral contest.
  • ¿Has pensado en meterte en política y postularte para un cargo público?
    Have you considered getting involved in politics and running for office?
  • Ella quiere postularse para un cargo público.
    She wants to run for public office.

Example conversation

Two friends are discussing their future career goals.

  1. Alejandro

    Alejandro, ¿te gustaría postularse para un cargo algún día?
    Alejandro, would you like to run for office someday?
  2. Elena

    Sí, Elena, me interesa la política local.
    Yes, Elena, I am interested in local politics.
  3. Alejandro

    Sería genial que participaras en las elecciones.
    It would be great if you participated in the elections.
  4. Elena

    Tengo que estudiar más antes de hacerlo.
    I need to study more before doing it.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries cargo, para, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Cory George
Cory GeorgeHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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