Since the inaugural class in 2020, The LBJ Women's Campaign School (LBJWCS) has trained nearly 250 leaders as candidates and campaign managers. Ten LBJWCS Alumni are on the ballot in 2024.
The Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership at Texas Woman's University is providing 30 full-tuition LBJWCS scholarships to knock down socioeconomic barriers for Texas women in politics.
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. Ten 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," said Amy Kroll, the founder and executive director. "Leaders from our program are stepping up to run for school board, city council, statewide office, and U.S. Congress."
The ten women running in 2024:
- 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
- Alyson Martinez - Texas Young Lawyers Association, President-elect
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 fifth 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," said 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 fifth cohort will accomplish for their communities."
Applications for the 2024 cohort of the LBJ Women's Campaign School are open now through Feb. 19. Apply at https://lbjwcs.lbj.utexas.edu/apply.
The LBJ Women's Campaign School is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral program that trains leaders, regardless of political party. The program brings together top political experts from across the nation to lead immersive training on topics including media relations, public speaking, fundraising, grassroots organizing, and the skills needed to win elections.