From Training to Political Leadership - 2026 Alumni Survey
Our new report, From Training to Political Leadership: Findings from New American Leaders' 2026 Annual Alumni Survey, offers important insights into how New Americans are pursuing public leadership and what barriers continue to stand in their way.
Conducted in partnership with Dr. Nathan Chan of Loyola Marymount University and Dr. Tanika Raychaudhuri of Rice University, the survey gathered responses from 257 of our sister organization, New American Leaders’ alumni.
The findings are encouraging:
Nearly two-thirds of respondents are interested in running for elected office in the future.
Among respondents who ran after NAL training, women and men reported similar rates of candidacy (21% and 19%, respectively), despite a substantial gender gap in overall candidacy ahead of a training.
73% of respondents ages 18 to 29 want to run for office in the future, underscoring the significant potential of the next generation.
Nearly 80% are interested in working or volunteering on a political campaign, demonstrating that New American political leadership extends well beyond candidacy.
Together, these findings reinforce the importance of building long-term pathways to political power.