18.1: A Look Inside State Representative Josie Raymond’s Political Fundraising Journey and How to Get More Women in Leadership Roles

Josie Raymond is the State Representative for Kentucky's 31st District, the Director of Elected Leadership Fellowships at Leadership for Educational Equity, and a mom of three. In this episode, Josie shares her experience running for office with no political background. She talks about what it was like to run in her hometown of Louisville, the process of fundraising for her campaign (it’s not what you think!), and why we need more women in their twenties and thirties serving in elected positions. Josie sets an example in so many ways and there is so much nonprofits can learn about fundraising from this episode, you really don’t want to miss it!

Episode highlights: 

(02:41) - Who is Josie Raymond?: Her background as a journalist and her entry into the political scene to tackle poverty from elected office.

(09:19) - Fundraising for a political campaign: Josie’s experience raising money and her 18-month run for the Kentucky office.

(17:43) - “Yard signs cost $6.30”: The importance of building a transparent relationship with donors and speaking bluntly about money and policy-making.

(21:53) - Opening the space for diverse people to run for office: Should candidates receive a living wage?

(25:07) - Being a mother of 3 while in office: Why we need more women in their twenties and thirties as representatives and how we can make it happen. 

(31:16) - Playing the long game vs living in urgency: How political fundraising breaks all the nonprofit rules. 

(40:13) - Mechanisms and strategies: How campaigns are always evolving and why people are hungrier than ever for connection!  

(45:54) - Where you can find Josie + An invitation and some useful resources to get to know your state representatives.