_Commercial Grade is a weekly post by John Cicero, MAI who provides commentary on issues affecting real estate appraisers, with specific focus on commercial valuation. Today John goes all political on us._

_Disclosure: John is a partner of mine in our commercial real estate valuation concern [Miller Cicero, LLC](http://www.millercicero.com) and he is, on Thursdays on Fridays, one of the smartest guys I know._ …Jonathan Miller

In an earlier post I noted how [appraisers have historically used their skills to launch into other real estate fields](http://soapbox.millersamuelv2.wpenginepowered.com/?p=162), say investment banking or asset management. With election season upon us, it seems that a number of appraisers have also launched political careers. I’ve noticed a flurry of appraisers entering politics lately around the country. To name just a few:

* [Douglas Gablinski, partner in AppraisalRI]((http://www.projo.com/eastbayandmass/content/projo_20060913_blga13.354d1d0.html), wins a house seat.

* [Suzanne Evans, a real estate appraiser from Allentown, PA]((http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060913/2327951.html), running for town council in Dewey, Delaware

* [Jenny Flanagan of Barrington, MA, a commercial real estate appraiser](http://www.eastbayri.com/story/330060154090986.php), just ran for state senator (don’t know if she won).

Hey, if we can reconcile landlords’ expense statements then we can certainly balance a budget and what better training to serve your constituency than to spend years learning how to make clients happy and often being the bearer of bad news?

None of these candidates are in my district, but anyone that can reconcile the three approaches to value gets my vote!

_[What I about me? I ran for and held public office a few years ago in my town. 😉 – JM]_