Senator Lisa Grafstein

Situation:

Maven Strategies partnered with Senator Lisa Grafstein from the start of her campaign for public office. In her first election, Lisa faced a tough primary against a sitting city council member for a newly drawn Senate District. Despite the challenge, she earned over two-thirds of the vote to become the Democratic nominee. After her historic victory as the sole openly LGBTQ+ member of the North Carolina Senate, Lisa faced a new challenge when she was drawn out of her district. She strategically relocated to remain eligible and successfully ran for reelection in one of the most targeted districts in the state, winning by just over 4,000 votes.

Approach:

Maven Strategies provided comprehensive support during Senator Grafstein’s campaigns. For her first election, we managed her fundraising, branding, compliance, and communications, crafting a compelling campaign identity and clear messaging that resonated with voters. We executed a targeted direct mail program and developed strategic GOTV efforts that helped maximize voter turnout. For her reelection campaign, we continued to work as a trusted partner in strategic planning, fundraising, and digital communication, adapting to the challenges of running in one of the most competitive districts in the state.

Results:

Senator Lisa Grafstein won reelection in one of North Carolina’s most competitive districts and remains the only openly LGBTQ+ member of the North Carolina Senate. Maven Strategies’ partnership was integral to her success, providing strategic expertise and execution at every stage to help her overcome challenges and secure her place as a leader in state politics