The DNC’s seven-figure investment has already trained hundreds of Democratic campaign leaders and staff in North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and beyond
Building on the success and momentum of its first three NextWave Regional Bootcamps, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is bringing its largest-ever in-person campaign staff training program to the Midwest ahead of the midterms.
The DNC will host its Midwest NextWave Regional Bootcamp in Chicago from August 26–28, convening aspiring and current staff from across the region for three days of intensive training in organizing, voter registration, fundraising, data, communications, and other core campaign skills. Participants will receive instructions tailored to their experience level while engaging in hands-on workshops and building connections with campaign professionals and state parties.
Launched earlier this year with a seven-figure investment, NextWave is the largest in-person campaign staff training program in the Democratic Party’s history. The program has already trained hundreds of campaign staff in North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and beyond while building a pipeline of Democratic talent for the 2026 midterm and future elections.
DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement about the NextWave Regional Bootcamp in Chicago:
“As Donald Trump and Republicans continue to raise costs, cut healthcare, drive us into endless wars, and undermine Americans’ freedoms, Democrats are building the strongest campaign operation in the country by investing in the people who will power victories up and down the ballot. After successful trainings in the South, East, and West, we are excited to bring this proven program to the Midwest and continue preparing the next generation of organizers and campaign staff to win in 2026 and beyond.”
The DNC keeps investing in building the strongest infrastructure in the Democratic Party’s history to power campaigns and Democrats’ wins across the country.
NextWave builds on the DNC’s broader investment in campaign talent, including the Battleground Leadership Project and BlueMatch, the committee’s resume-matching service that connects state parties and campaigns with qualified candidates. Since the November election, applications to the DNC’s national talent bank have increased by 191%, underscoring growing enthusiasm to work on Democratic campaigns.
