November 5, 2024 – This election day 9 LBJ Women’s Campaign School (LBJWCS) alumni are on the ballot! They’re vying for roles as railroad commissioner, state legislators, city council members, school board members, and judge.
These new names on the ballot are remarkable in the context of the 2024 election. Although Vice President Kamala Harris is making a historic run as the 2nd woman to be nominated for President by a major party, there isn’t a history-making number of women candidates on the ballot this election cycle. According to data obtained from the Center for American Women in Politics (CAWP), this year fewer women ran Congress than in 2022. The number of women declaring their candidacy for Senate fell by 29%, and the number running for House fell by 20%. 24% fewer women ran for their State Legislatures in 2024 than in 2022, and a whopping 75% fewer women ran for governor. Women still make up less than 30% of elected officials nationwide, while making up 50% of the population.
LBJWCS was founded with the bipartisan mission to increase women’s political representation at all levels of government. There are 9 candidates whose decision to run for office is making history at the campaign school, where the number of alumni who have declared their candidacy more than doubled during the 2024 election cycle. 20 Alumni ran for office in 2024, and now 16 alumni overall are serving in office.
Meet the candidates on the ballot November 5th:
- Erin Shank: Democratic Nominee for State Representative, TX, District 56
- Victoria Garcia: Republican Candidate for State Assembly, CA, District 43, and Candidate for San Fernando, CA, City Council
- Katherine Culbert: Democratic Nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner
- Monica Guzmán: City Council Member for Austin, TX, District 4
- Heather Bredimus: City Council Member for Midland, TX, District 1
- Jennifer Gracia: City Council Member-At-Large for Corpus Christi, TX
- Elizabeth Martinez: Judge-Elect for Texas 73rd District Court
- Melissa Ross: ISD Trustee for Round Rock, TX, Place 2
The candidates vary widely in age, ethnicity, background, and party affiliation. They have been trained in a bipartisan environment, where all participants have the opportunity to learn from top political operatives and elected officials from both sides of the aisle.
These women candidates embody the spirit of the country’s democratic process, designed to elect leaders who best represent the needs and values of their constituents. As you head to the polls today, remember that your voice matters. Let’s celebrate these incredible alumni and all candidates striving to make a difference in our communities.