AUSTIN, TEXAS — Since the inaugural class of 2020, the LBJ Women's Campaign School (LBJWCS) has trained nearly 250 leaders as candidates and campaign managers. Over three election cycles, 49 alumni have managed campaigns or worked in senior political roles, 59 have worked in new government jobs, 86 have earned political appointments, and 29 women have run for office. Ahead of the 2024 election, the program is mobilizing to get more people involved in politics. Nine LBJWCS alumni have already stepped up to run in 2024 and many more are serving as campaign managers or political staff.
Because of the program’s commitment to bipartisanship, the participants are building a network across the aisle and deepening their understanding of different political viewpoints.
“We want people who can mobilize their communities and work together to make lasting change,” says Amy Kroll, the founder and executive director. “Leaders from our program are stepping up to run for city council, state legislatures, statewide office, and U.S. Congress.”
The nine women running in 2024 are:
- Elizabeth Martinez - District Judge, Texas 73rd District
- Karen Crnkovich - Kansas's 3rd Congressional District
- Kate Rumsey - Texas House of Representatives, District 115
- Angel Carroll - Texas House of Representatives, District 52
- Erin Shank - Texas House of Representatives, District 56
- Na’Cole Thompson - Leander City Council, Place 4
- Tanisa Jeffers - Travis County Justice of the Peace No.5
- Katherine Culbert - Texas Railroad Commissioner
- Ariel Lara - City Council, Lake Jackson, TX, Position 4
Candidates can meet their future staff at campaign school. Alumna Jaynie Schultz (‘21) won her first campaign for Dallas City Council after attending the campaign school. She successfully won re-election relying on LBJ Women’s Campaign School talent: her field director, Maria Froemming (‘23), and volunteers Marie Appel ('20) and Danielle Rugoff ('21).
Since the program’s launch, the LBJ Women’s Campaign School has partnered with the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership (JNIWL) at Texas Woman’s University to ensure that all women leaders can attend regardless of socioeconomic status. JNIWL is providing 30 full-tuition grants to Texans in the 5th cohort.
“We are proud to knock down socioeconomic barriers for women in politics by partnering with the LBJ Women’s Campaign School for five years running,” says Marlene Phillips, Director of the Center for Women in Government at the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. “We have already seen great success from these leaders and we cannot wait to see all that the 5th cohort will accomplish for their communities.”
Applications for the 2024 cohort of the LBJ Women’s Campaign School are open now through February 19th.
Apply at https://lbjwcs.lbj.utexas.edu/apply.