Trailblazers, Tech, and What’s Next in Political Consulting

In this issue, we’re shining a light on the future—starting with a legend. Meet Nancy Bocskor, one of AAPC’s 2025 Trailblazers [ [link removed] ] , whose career has transformed political training and elevated voices across the globe.
 
Plus, catch up on how AI is reshaping campaign strategy, discover surprising voter trends from AAPC’s Mid-Atlantic Conference, and explore upcoming events that will keep you connected and ahead.
 
👉 This edition is just a sneak peek. AAPC members [ [link removed] ] get the full version—packed with exclusive insights and access to our latest research. If you’re not a member yet, now’s the time to join the network [ [link removed] ] shaping what’s next in politics.
 
Anna Ross
Membership Marketing & Communications Manager
 
In this issue…
 • How Consultants Are Adopting AI—and What’s Next
 • 2025 Trailblazer: Nancy Bocskor
 • Join AAPC
 • Interesting Reads
 • Don’t Miss

AAPC at the National Association of Realtors’ GAD Institute: Are you shaping the narrative—or reacting to what’s already been generated?

At the National Association of Realtors’ Government Affairs Directors Institute, AAPC’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations, Julie Sweet, delivered a powerful reminder: AI is no longer emerging—it’s embedded. Like electricity, it’s becoming an invisible driver of how political professionals work, influence, and communicate.
 
Julie challenged government affairs leaders to move from observers to architects in this transformation. Sharing insights from the AAPC Foundation’s recent member survey, she revealed that 85% of political consultants…
 
Want to know the top tools political consultants are using and the key barriers keeping others on the sidelines? Julie shared the three most important takeaways from the AAPC Foundation’s AI research in the full article. 👉 Join AAPC here to get the full breakdown and stay ahead of the curve. [ [link removed] ]

AAPC’s 2025 Trailblazers: Honoring the Legends Shaping Political Consulting’s Future Part Two: Nancy Bocskor

2025 AAPC Trailblazer Award Winner, Nancy Bocksor (left) and AAPC Secretary Tracy Dietz, CEO of DonorBureau (right)

Dubbed the “Democracy Coach,” Nancy Bocskor was honored with a 2025 AAPC Trailblazer Award [ [link removed] ] at this year’s Pollies—and for good reason. Her career has redefined political training and leadership development worldwide.
 
Now Director of Development at Business for America, Bocskor fosters civic engagement by mobilizing business leaders. Previously, she served as Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill and ran a consulting firm that trained candidates in all 50 states and 28 countries—often championing women’s political empowerment.
 
Bocskor’s influence reaches far beyond campaigns. As a board member for the LBJ Women’s Campaign School, POWER at Ohio State, and the Public Leadership Education Network, she’s advancing institutional change to help underrepresented leaders thrive in public service. She’s a strategist, mentor, and educator whose teaching and curriculum design have expanded pathways for women and veterans in politics.
 
Reflecting on her legacy, she shared: “Our impact as political professionals isn’t always measured in polls or press coverage—it’s in the lives we touch, the confidence we help build, and the leaders we help shape.”
 
The Trailblazer Awards [ [link removed] ] honor not just past accomplishments but a vision for the future—one where mentorship, inclusion, and ethical leadership are central to political strategy. As Nancy put it, the award “validates a career spent not just in strategy rooms and campaign offices, but also in classrooms, workshops, and one-on-one conversations with emerging professionals.”
 
This spotlight is part of an ongoing series featuring each Trailblazer Award [ [link removed] ] recipient. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate those shaping the future of political consulting.

Not yet a member of AAPC? Now’s the time to join.

AAPC membership gives you exclusive access to:
✔ Networking with top political pros
✔ Industry insights and trend reports
✔ Discounts on events like the Pollies [ [link removed] ]
✔ Tools to grow your firm and career
 
🎉 Now available: Digital Membership [ [link removed] ] – all digital benefits, all online, at a lower cost!
 
👉 Become a member here [ [link removed]? ] . Questions? Email Anna Ross at [email protected].

Interesting Reads

• AI In Political Advertising: Considerations For Campaign Managers [ [link removed] ] (Forbes)
 • Artist pulls show from National Portrait Gallery over censorship concerns [ [link removed] ] (Axios)
 • The OpenSecrets [ [link removed] ] 2024 Annual Report [ [link removed] ] breaks down record election spending, dark money trends, and digital ad strategies.

Don’t Miss

• Al in Action: How Campaign Pros are Leveraging the Latest Tools [ [link removed] ] Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 2:00pm EDT
 • The Future of Political Consulting Podcast's "Summer Catch Up" Episode [ [link removed] ]
 • Winning With Pollsters [ [link removed] ] Wednesday, August 6, 2025 | 3:00pm EDT
 • Creative Campaigns on a Budget [ [link removed] ] Thursday, August 14, 2025 | 3:00pm EDT
 • Southwest Regional Conference [ [link removed] ] | September 15-16 | Austin, TX
 • Atlanta Networking Luncheon | October 30 | Atlanta GA
 • Pollies 26 | March 24-26, 2026 | Amelia Island, FL
 • Connect with us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]

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