Throughout 2026, the DNC Training Team has poured everything they have into coaching the emerging generation of campaign and party leaders through their high-impact NextWave Regional Bootcamps.
These bootcamps are a free, game-changing program designed to strengthen the talent pipeline in Democratic politics. Building a strong staff is the first step to winning elections, and we’re equipping campaigns and state parties with the skills needed to dominate up and down the ballot in 2026, 2028, and beyond.
This week, we are spotlighting Ty, an alum of the NextWave Regional Bootcamp, who used the skills gained through the training program to cultivate a successful career in Democratic politics. We’re training the next generation of leaders like Ty, and building a pipeline that will help us win for years to come.
Tell us about your background. What motivated you to pursue a path in politics?
My motivation to pursue politics as a career really started in high school. I’d always been passionate about politics, but I wanted to major in or pursue a career in psychology before going to college. In my last semester of high school, I had an assignment that asked me to reflect on what my life calling is. This became an assignment that I took very seriously. After deep reflection, I came to the conclusion that pursuing a path in politics was my calling. I picked my now-alma mater, American University in Washington, D.C., and majored in Political Science.
From that decision, I got involved in Student Government and founded an LGBTQ+ organization on campus. I was an organizer during the 2024 election and went on to be an organizer deputy for the 2025 Abigail Spanberger campaign in Virginia. Today, I work as a Finance Assistant for the Democratic Party of Georgia.
You attended the NextWave Regional Bootcamp in Charlotte, North Carolina. How did you learn about this program, and what encouraged you to apply?
I was at my college cafe and just happened to go on LinkedIn during a study break, where I saw a post about the DNC doing a free NextWave Regional Bootcamp in Charlotte, North Carolina. I read the program’s description, which sounded perfect as someone who is passionate about campaigns.
There were skills I wanted to develop in my career. For example, I wanted to expand my knowledge of campaigns and the ways different roles function. I’ve always been someone interested in “doing it all,” in a sense, and exploring different roles. I really wanted to get involved in the 2026 midterms in any capacity I could with as much impact as possible, which is why I applied to the NextWave program.
The NextWave Regional Bootcamps aim to train Democratic staffers to build better campaigns and state parties across the country. What trainings did you attend, and what did you find most interesting about them?
I attended the Campaigns 101 track training sessions, which covered a variety of topics for entry-level campaign staffers. We talked about organizing, voter protection and registration, volunteer recruitment and retention, campaign finance and fundraising, communications, digital strategy, and campaign structure.
Some of my favorite training sessions were the resume workshop, the digital strategy training, and the Arena Cup campaign simulation, which was great practice utilizing everything we learned.
There were some interesting findings from these training sessions. For example, we learned new ways to engage voters by meeting them where they are, even if it’s “unconventional.” We also learned how there can be many versatile ways to win a campaign through the campaign simulation, the Arena Cup.
What were the most important skills you learned during the NextWave Bootcamp?
I learned a variety of important skills during the bootcamp. I learned how to operate on campaign databases such as NGP Votebuilder, and learned new ways to create digital content from the digital training. For example, I learned how to design specific graphics to communicate your message. In addition, I discovered a lot more about campaign finance, which made me more drawn to it. Specifically, from the campaign finance and fundraising training, I learned how impactful call time is and about fundraising strategies.
Discuss your current role this election season. How have the skills you learned in the NextWave Regional Bootcamp allowed you to become a better staffer?
After the NextWave program, I began searching for jobs with Democratic campaigns and state parties. The DNC National Training Team, especially Training Manager Cassie Mohr, was incredibly helpful during the job search process.
I now work as a Finance Assistant for the Democratic Party of Georgia (DPG). A lot of the work I am doing helps get Democrats elected up and down the ballot by raising money for the party through call time management, our own staff call time sessions, and executing fundraising projects. I also assist the digital team in making content as well, putting the skills learned from NextWave and past experience to use.
The skills I gained through the digital training allowed me to create content for DPG that is engaging for our target audience. The finance training helped me prepare for my role as a finance assistant by clarifying what to expect when staffing call time and how to stay organized and prepared in your schedule.
I am proud to say that I get to work on such an amazing team down here in the great state of Georgia!
Why is NextWave essential for building long-term Democratic power, and what real-world impact have you seen firsthand?
The DNC is building and retaining strong talent across the country by providing trainings like the NextWave Bootcamps to those who are new to campaigns. This allows all of us to be better staff, not only on campaigns, but in any field of Democratic politics.
NextWave is a true testament to how the DNC is helping Democratic state parties and campaigns. I would probably not be working at the Democratic Party of Georgia if it weren’t for NextWave, because I never realized how important our state parties were until this program.
The DNC is helping state parties and campaigns find strong talent to fire in the midterms. I have seen many of my fellow NextWave graduates go on to work for state parties or get involved in local Democratic politics for the midterms, and they do an amazing job. From friends in Colorado, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and more, I am seeing their amazing work and contributions to help Democrats this November.
For my next step in my career, some of my goals include either working on a presidential campaign, continuing to work for a state or national party, or working for an elected official.
It’ll come down to where the next journey will take me!
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