Emma Kennett
Emma Kennett is a North Carolina political strategist and campaign operative with a reputation for building disciplined, people-centered campaigns that win tough races. Currently serving as Chief of Staff for both Slay Strategies and the Can’t Win Victory Fund, Emma has quickly become one of the most respected young campaign managers in the state, known for combining sharp strategic instincts with relentless field execution and strong coalition-building skills.
A proud graduate of Wake Forest University, where she studied Political Science, International Affairs, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Emma began organizing and campaigning in communities across North Carolina shortly after graduation. Since then, she has built an impressive record managing some of the state’s most competitive and closely watched legislative races. Over the course of three consecutive targeted state legislative campaigns, Emma helped lead candidates to victory in districts considered highly competitive or toss-ups—developing campaign plans, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, overseeing fundraising operations, and directing sophisticated voter contact programs rooted in grassroots organizing.
In 2024, Emma managed Beth Helfrich’s successful North Carolina House campaign in Mecklenburg County, helping secure a four-point victory in one of the cycle’s most competitive races. Prior to that, she managed Mary Wills Bode’s successful State Senate campaign in Wake County during the 2022 cycle, where the campaign exceeded fundraising goals and secured a critical Democratic victory in a toss-up district. She also managed Sarah Stoeckel’s North Carolina House campaign and previously led the campaign that elected her mother as the first female mayor of Burlington, North Carolina—a race that cemented Emma’s reputation as both a skilled strategist and a fiercely loyal advocate for her community.
Emma’s political experience spans every level of campaigning and organizing, from canvassing and volunteer recruitment to fundraising, communications, field strategy, and candidate operations. She has worked with the North Carolina Democratic Party, organized extensively in Alamance County, and supported outreach efforts for Representative Ricky Hurtado. Her background in both campaign infrastructure and direct voter engagement gives her a grounded understanding of the challenges facing working families and the importance of authentic, community-driven messaging.
Known for her calm under pressure, deep work ethic, and sharp political instincts, Emma brings a new generation’s perspective to Democratic organizing in North Carolina. Whether managing a statewide coalition effort, building field operations from the ground up, or helping candidates navigate difficult political terrain, she is driven by a belief that campaigns succeed when they invest in people, listen to communities, and never stop organizing.
