Ready to Run® Iowa is a nonpartisan campaign training program to encourage women to run for elective office, position themselves for appointive office, work on a campaign or become involved in public life as leaders in their communities. Since 2007, the Catt Center has offered the Ready to Run Iowa program every other year as part of a national network founded by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.
Although some of the Ready to Run Iowa workshops address topics topics unique to women as they seek greater participation in the political process, the training is open to anyone.
History of Ready to Run Iowa
Ready to Run Iowa FAQs
2025 Ready to Run Iowa
The February and March workshops will be held virtually, and the April workshops will be held at Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University. Registration is required for all six workshops, but is free for February and March. The $25 registration fee for each of the April workshops covers lunch and refreshments and is waived for Iowa State students. Registration opens one month prior to each workshop date.
Feb. 21
Getting Involved in Politics — 9-11:30 a.m.
– Message from Congress to Campus
– Serving on boards and commissions
– Finding a race
Deciding to Run — 1-3:30 p.m.
– Iowa election laws
– Overcoming doubts or anxiety
– Women’s campaign experiences
March 28
Launching Your Campaign — 9-11:30 a.m.
– Creating a campaign plan
– Building a team
– Hosting campaign events
Campaign Fundraising — 1-3:30 p.m.
– Fundraising: Donors, PACs and parties
– Asking for donations
– Iowa campaign finance rules and regulations
April 25
Campaign Messaging — 9-11:30 a.m.
– Your story: Crafting a campaign message
– Getting media attention and interviews
Talking to Constituents — 1-3:30 p.m.
– Taking the mic: Forums, debates and stump speeches
– Using online strategies
– Fieldwork and direct voter contact
Ready to Run Iowa Advisory Board
- Amy Campbell, partner at the Advocacy Cooperative
- Barbara Hames-Bryant, president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women
- Blake Hanson, attorney at Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C. in Des Moines
- Paula Martinez, labor leader and member of the Warren County Democrats Central Committee
- Kellie Paschke, attorney with Skinner & Paschke, PLLC of Waukee, Iowa
- Greg Piklapp, director of economic development outreach & government relations at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance
- Georgia Van Gundy, executive vice president at Hy-Vee, Inc. and deputy to the Iowa Business Council
- Andrea Woodard, senior vice president of government relations and public policy at the Greater Des Moines Partnership
Contact us to add your name to the Ready to Run® Iowa mailing list.
Questions? Contact the Catt Center at 515-294-3181 or cattcntr@iastate.edu