(Allison Bush with her LBJWCS mentor, Rebecca Bell-Metereau, current Texas State Board of Education, representing District 5.)
Allison Bush is a graduate of Cohort 6 of the LBJ Women's Campaign School and now serves on the LBJWCS Advisory Council. Today, she is the Democratic nominee for Texas State Board of Education, District 5.
What inspired you to apply to the LBJ Women's Campaign School, and what were you hoping to gain from the experience?
After more than 25 years working in public education, nonprofit leadership, and community participation, I joined Cumming Gallagher, where for the past five years I've helped school districts across Texas plan and manage bond election campaigns. Through that work, I became fascinated by campaign strategy, voter engagement, messaging, and community outreach. I was looking for a professional opportunity to deepen my knowledge of campaign management, and there really aren't many programs like the LBJ Women's Campaign School.
When I applied, running for office wasn't on my mind. In fact, many people had encouraged me to run over the years, but I never believed I was the right person for the job. My goal was to become better at the work I was already doing and to learn from professionals in the field and women leaders.
How did your experience at LBJWCS influence your decision to run for office?
Campaign School gave me the confidence to believe that I was ready. Before attending, I knew I cared deeply about public education, but I wasn't sure I belonged in the political arena. Through the program, I learned that authentic leadership matters and that my years of experience in education, communications, community engagement, and campaign strategy were valuable assets.
What I found at LBJWCS was so much more than campaign training. I gained practical skills, incredible mentors, and a network of inspiring women who challenged me to think bigger about my own leadership. Campaign School helped me recognize that the expertise I had developed over my career could have a significant impact beyond supporting campaigns—it gave me the confidence to consider leading one myself.
The encouragement from staff, mentors, and my fellow cohort reinforced that women don't have to wait until they feel 100% ready—we just need to be willing to step forward. I officially launched my campaign before graduating, and today I'm honored to be the Democratic nominee for Texas State Board of Education, District 5.
What is one moment, speaker, or lesson from Campaign School that has stayed with you and continues to influence your work today?
One of the most crucial lessons I learned at Campaign School was that fundraising isn't just about raising money—it's about building relationships. Before LBJWCS, I understood the importance of campaign strategy, but I didn't fully appreciate how critical fundraising is to earning the resources needed to communicate your message, reach voters, and run a competitive campaign.
Campaign School taught me that every call, every event, and every conversation with a potential supporter is an opportunity to build trust, share your vision, and invite someone to become part of your campaign. Fundraising is really about people. It's about listening to their concerns, earning their confidence, and giving them a chance to invest in something they believe in.
That lesson keeps influencing me every day on the campaign trail. Whether I'm making calls, meeting with potential donors, speaking at community events, or talking with educators, parents, and voters, I approach every conversation as an opportunity to build a genuine relationship. Those relationships are what sustain a campaign, strengthen a community, and ultimately make real change possible.
What would you say to someone who is considering applying to the LBJ Women's Campaign School but isn't sure if they're ready?
Apply anyway! The truth is, very few women ever feel completely ready. Look at me; I certainly didn't. But Campaign School isn't designed for women who have all the answers—it's designed for women who are willing to learn, grow, and lead. You'll leave with useful skills, lifelong friendships, an incredible support network, and the confidence to pursue opportunities you may never have imagined possible. Whether you want to run for office, lead a nonprofit, serve on board, or become a stronger advocate in your community, the LBJ Women's Campaign School will help you find your voice and give you the tools to make a difference.