Ready to Run® New Jersey 2027

The session features a roundtable discussion about the importance of having more Latinas engaged in politics and public life, including as elected or appointed officials, lobbyists, and party leaders. Topics covered include: why participants should be involved in politics in some way, the experience of running for and serving in elected office, how to be involved politically besides running for office, particularly in campaign leadership, and using community leadership positions, such as appointments to non-profit or government boards, as a way to advocate for issues and gain leadership experience.

This roundtable features women in the Asian American community who have been involved in public leadership in various ways, including elected or appointed officials, campaign workers, and non-profit leaders. Topics covered include: the experience of running for and serving in elected office; how to be involved politically besides running for office and why participants should be involved in politics in some way; and using community leadership positions, such as appointments to non-profit or government boards, as a way to advocate for issues and gain leadership experience.

As more Black women step into prominent political roles and seek the highest offices in our nation, they continue to face unique challenges. This panel will examine the persistent barriers Black women face while providing practical strategies for resilience and success. This panel will discuss essential topics, including strategies for practicing self-care for candidates and politically engaged women, effective responses for addressing disinformation online, and fundraising strategies specifically for Black women candidates.

From short-form video to AI-powered outreach, the digital landscape for campaigns and advocacy has never been more dynamic. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, alongside tools like texting and email apps, are essential for reaching voters and stakeholders. This session will explore best practices in digital strategy, including how to build an authentic online presence, create content that cuts through the noise, an overview of best practices and offer practical tips on how to get started or enhance your online presence. 

Running for office or thinking about it, or are you interested in working on campaigns? This session covers the fundamentals of a political campaign: assessing your district and the political environment, establishing yourself as a candidate, developing a campaign plan, structuring your campaign organization, and maximizing your outreach to voters.

Designed for those who are not running for office but want to have an impact on important issues, this session helps you find real ways to shape decisions in your community. Drawing on the stories of women leaders, the session demystifies how local, county and state governments actually work, alongside the role political parties play and how to plug into them. Attendees will leave with a personal inventory of their skills, interests, and networks; a concrete list of ways to get involved (from joining a party committee to serving on a local board or commission); a personal action plan with three next steps; and an accountability partner to help them follow through.

Crafting a winning campaign message is essential. This session will teach you how to define your message early and communicate authentically across multiple channels in an increasingly crowded media environment. Whether you're running for the first time or looking to sharpen your communications strategy, you'll walk away with a clearer sense of how to tell your story and win.

Ready for your next steps? Building on the morning session, this deeper dive helps you move from planning to action as a candidate. You'll learn how campaigns are staffed, from paid positions to volunteer roles, with organizational charts for campaigns at different levels. You'll also learn how political party organizations fit into campaigns and what services and funding they may offer. The session concludes with the first steps to set yourself up for success.

Building on the systems knowledge from Part 1, this session turns that understanding into action, teaching you how to create change through effective advocacy. Learn concrete steps, including identifying your issue, developing solutions, building coalitions, developing advocacy campaign plans, and working with the media. Leave with practical tools to move from understanding to influence.

Fundraising is one of the most crucial aspects of a campaign. This interactive workshop covers key components of campaign fundraising, including special emphasis on understanding why people give and the in-person “ask.” The session will also address developing a strategy for your campaign, building a donor list, recruiting and motivating a finance committee, and special events.