Anyone interested in applying to the 7th Annual IDCCA / NDTC Boot Camp can apply online at https://traindemocrats.org/event/idcca-bootcamp-5-20-2023/

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Dan Kovats, Executive Director
(773) 351-7818 / dan@ildcca.org
Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Dem County Chairs Announce 7th Annual Boot Camp
Partnering with the National Democratic Training Committee to train candidates, staff, and Democratic Party leaders.

Springfield, IL – On the heels of the impressive repudiation of far-right extreme candidates, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) announces its 7th annual IDCCA Boot Camp, in partnership with the National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC) to train candidates, campaign staff, and Democratic Party leaders who will be leading the next Illinois Blue Wave. The Boot Camp has trained over 1,500 individuals with close to 300 candidates being elected to public office, including a State Senator and eight Illinois State Representatives.

Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) President Kristina Zahorik released the following statement regarding the announcement of the 7th Annual IDCCA & NDTC Boot Camp:

“The IDCCA & NDTC Boot Camp is a staple for Democratic politics in Illinois. It is a resource our County Chairs rely on to educate candidates, staff, and leaders on how to successfully organize and win. We are excited to continue our partnership with the NDTC building one of the most effective Democratic trainings in the country. The Democrats we teach will lead the Blue Wave for us next year and beyond.”

In 2017, the IDCCA & NDTC hosted the first Boot Camp in Springfield training 102 candidates to run for office. The program quickly expanded to include training campaign staff and Democratic Party leadership. Attendees learn valuable skills like effective communication, fundraising, voter contact, and digital marketing. The lessons provide a base level of knowledge for Democrats as they start the election cycle. The IDCCA follows up with additional resources for alumni and county parties after the sessions.

This year’s IDCCA Boot Camp will be held in the Bloomington / Normal area in May. Applications are available until April 28, and can be found online at idcca.org. Applicants must be approved by their Democratic County Party Chairs. Once selected, applicants will be contacted before the scheduled training.

Notable IDCCA & NDTC Boot Camp Alumni serving (or who have served) in the Illinois General Assembly include:

Rachelle Crowe, former State Senator – now US Attorney, Southern District of Illinois

Rachel Ventura, State Senator
State Representative Carol Ammons
State Representative Dagmara Avelar
State Representative Harry Benton
State Representative Sharon Chung
State Representative Maura Hirschauer
State Representative Gregg Johnson
State Representative Jenn Ladisch Douglass
State Representative Joyce Mason

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