2027 State Manager Program

Launch your campaign management career

BLC’s award-winning State Manager Program recruits, trains, and develops campaign leaders who help Democrats win at every level of the ballot. Designed for emerging political talent, the program launches your management career through innovative, holistic training while you manage a key state legislative campaign in a BLC partner state.

Apply now Join an info session

2025 BLC managers won every race on the ballot — helping the Virginia House Democratic Caucus build its largest majority since 1987.

Apply to be a Virginia campaign manager today and help protect that majority in 2027.

What you get

State Manager Program benefits

Manage a top Virginia race

Manage a top state legislative campaign in Virginia to help defend the Democratic majority.

Salary and benefits

Receive a competitive salary and benefits from January through December 2027.

Six weeks of intensive training

Participate in a six-week intensive campaign management training coupled with yearlong training and coaching support.

A network that opens doors

Receive access to BLC’s network of trainers, consultants, program alumni, and party leaders.

Long-term career pathing

Career pathing for the duration of your management career, including competitive 2028 federal and state races.

A cohort for life

Join a cohort of other first-time campaign managers for community, support, and lifelong relationships.

Key application dates

Applications open

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Deadline to apply

Friday, December 4, 2026

Please note that applications are accepted on a rolling basis — apply early.

Apply now

Before you apply

Join an information session

Meet the BLC team and a member of the alumni community to learn how the program can benefit you in 2027 and beyond. We’ll walk through the application process and answer your questions in real time.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 — noon ET
Thursday, October 8, 2026 — noon ET
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 — noon ET

Where do BLC alumni go?

Managing a campaign is one of the best ways to advance to senior-level positions across the Democratic ecosystem. The skills BLC managers learn — building budgets, managing principals, and leading teams — serve them well beyond their time in BLC.

Year 1

Cohort members manage a state legislative campaign in Virginia after completing the six-week intensive campaign management training.

Year 2

Program graduates go on to lead critical congressional campaigns.

Year 3

Managers complete another congressional campaign to deepen their skills and network, or move on to a statewide campaign.

Year 4

Alumni at this stage often manage statewide campaigns or lead important committees, caucuses, and issue campaigns.

Alumni outcomes

Before BLC, during BLC, after BLC

Jeff Allen ’19

Before BLC

Campaign Manager, Ben Cullop for Congress (VA-05)

BLC Race

End Citizens United

After BLC

DCCC Regional Political Director
Campaign Manager, Governor Josh Stein
Campaign Manager, Governor Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate

Will Washington ’19

Before BLC

Campaign Manager, Donna Shalala for Congress (FL-27)

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, Sri Kulkarni for Congress (TX-22)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester
Campaign Manager, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester for Congress (DE At-Large)
Federal & Gubernatorial Political Director

Shannon Geison ’21

Before BLC

Deputy Digital Director, Sen. Tina Smith for Minnesota

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, VanValkenburg for Delegate (VA HD-72)

After BLC

Rep. Andrea Salinas for Congress (OR-06)
Chief of Staff, U.S. Congress
Campaign Manager, Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17)
DCCC Political Desk

Jenner Foster ’21

Before BLC

Finance Director, Josh Harder for Congress (CA-10)

BLC Race

Rodney Willett (VA HD-73)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Chris Pappas (NH-01)
Executive Director, Virginia House Democratic Caucus
Government Relations Director, Commonwealth Strategy Group

Jindalae Suh ’22

Before BLC

Deputy Campaign Manager, Bucks United

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, Rep. Melissa Cerrato (PA HD-151)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Michael Lamb (Allegheny County Executive)
Campaign Manager, Christina Bohannan (IA-01)
Campaign Manager, Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45)

Mars Rodriguez ’22

Before BLC

Organizing Director, Austin is Safer When

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, State Rep. Suzanne Ness (IL HD-66)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Julie Lythcott-Haims (CA-16)
Managing Director, Ground Game Texas
Deputy Campaign Manager, Cinde Warmington for NH Governor

Alia Kapasi ’23

Before BLC

Chief of Staff of Campaigns and Political, DCCC

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, State Sen. Danica Roem (VA SD-30)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Kirsten Engel (AZ-06)
Campaign Manager, Abdul El-Sayed (Michigan Senate)

Simone Archer-Krauss ’23

Before BLC

Deputy Ops Director, Jon Ossoff for U.S. Senate
Deputy Campaign Manager, Del. Josh Cole (VA HD-65)

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, Del. Rodney Willett (VA HD-58)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Campaign Manager, Sean McCann for Congress (MI-04)

Tori Pfau ’24

Before BLC

CA Organizing Manager, Reproductive Freedom for All

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, Kristian Carranza (TX HD-118)

After BLC

Deputy Campaign Manager, Beto Altamirano (San Antonio Mayoral)
Campaign Manager, Lisa Vedernikova Khanna (VA-01)
PAC Director, Fair Shot Texas

Donaldo Elias ’24

Before BLC

Field Organizer, Joy Hollingsworth for Seattle City Council

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, Sean Dougherty (PA HD-172)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03)

Arif Hasan ’25

Before BLC

Research Director, Tim Kaine for U.S. Senate
Research Director, Steve Sisolak for NV Governor

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, May Nivar (VA HD-57)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Rep. Eugene Vindman for Congress (VA-07)

Nelisha Silva ’25

Before BLC

IE Political Coordinator, DCCC

BLC Race

Campaign Manager, John McAuliff (VA HD-30)

After BLC

Campaign Manager, Lauren Gillen (NY-04)

Ready to manage your first campaign?

Submit your application to be part of BLC’s State Manager Program today.

Apply now