From the Outside In

After watching former corporate CEO Curt Clawson run for Congress, why would anyone want to subject himself to such an ordeal? If you're a successful business owner or executive who wants to run for public office, consider Clawson's experience first.

A relative unknown in Southwest Florida, Clawson recently defeated better-known candidates to win the Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 19, a seat vacated by Trey Radel, who resigned after his arrest on possession of cocaine. Clawson's opponents included State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a rising Republican star who is now majority leader in the state senate.
Clawson is widely expected to go on to win the election against Democrat April Freeman and Libertarian Ray Netherwood in this mostly conservative district that includes Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples..

But the special-election primary victory came at substantial cost, both financially and personally. Clawson, 54, the former chairman and CEO of automotive supplier Hayes Lemmerz, spent more than $3 million, much of it in the form loans to his campaign. In addition, unflattering profiles in the local newspapers spread doubts about his candidacy.