Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is excited to continue our podcast series, "Tips From The Trail," hosted by WPLN Founder & President Larissa Martinez, where we explore the path to political office, from the decision to run to election day.
In our November episode, Larissa talks with Political Strategist Betsy Ankney about what it really takes to run a winning campaign. See highlights from the episode below and listen to the podcast to capture all of the great advice Betsy shared from her extensive career in politics.
- Campaign management isn't something you can fully learn in a classroom. It's earned through experience, hard work, and the ability to rise to the occasion when challenges emerge.
- Female candidates face the same advantages and challenges that women encounter in any industry. Women tend to have to work a little harder and are questioned about whether they're "tough enough" to handle the pressure. But women tend to also hold themselves to a higher standard so are ready to take on that challenge. At the end of the day, voters will support the candidate who they think is going to get the job done and it's your job to prove that you are the woman to do it.
- Women are exceptionally well-suited for campaign management. Managing a campaign means managing time, money, and people; women excel at all three.
- What does it take to bring a campaign over the finish line? Betsy noted that the candidate who has the most education, accolades, or political experience is not always the best fit for the job. Rather, it’s the candidate who is embedded in their community—the candidate who has a heart for solving the problems facing constituents—that inspires people to show up at the polls.
- For aspiring campaign managers, Betsy shared that the number one thing she looks for in campaign staff is hard work and the ability to rise to the occasion. There's no substitute for rolling up your sleeves and doing the work, especially when things don't go according to plan.
If you're interested in starting a career in politics, now is the time to act. We need more women at decision-making tables and WPLN is here to help you get there! Explore free candidate training resources on our website, reach out to local political organizations to see who’s hiring, and gain hands-on experience by volunteering for a campaign in your community.
Check out the full episode on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!
ABOUT THE GUEST
Betsy Ankney is a political strategist with over 15 years of experience in Republican campaigns. Most recently, she served as Campaign Manager for Nikki Haley's 2024 presidential campaign, raising $80 million and establishing Haley as the strongest challenger to Donald Trump. Betsy has also managed successful statewide campaigns, including Bruce Rauner for Governor in Illinois and Ron Johnson for Senate in Wisconsin, earning "Campaign Manager of the Year" in 2016.
Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.