TOGETHER
WE CAN
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Leslie Martes — Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Martes is the CEO of Forward Majority, where she leads the organization’s efforts to take on the tough but impactful work of building democratic majorities in State Legislatures.

A seasoned political strategist with more than two decades of experience, Leslie has built and managed winning electoral and advocacy programs at the national, state, and local levels. Prior to joining Forward Majority, she served as Vice President of Political and Strategic Initiatives at the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), where she oversaw the organization’s political investments and strategies to build Democratic legislative majorities nationwide.

In the past, Leslie served as State Electoral Campaign Director at the League of Conservation Voters, partnering with state affiliates across the country to elect climate champions to gubernatorial and legislative offices. She also served as Program and Outreach Director at the Voter Participation Center, leading efforts to register and mobilize members of the New American Electorate.

Earlier in her career, Leslie was Director of the North Carolina House Democratic Caucus and worked on campaigns at every level—from presidential and U.S. Senate races to gubernatorial and state legislative contests—in New Hampshire, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Washington.

Born and raised in Southern California, Leslie is a graduate of Scripps College. She lives in the DC area with her rescue dog, Benny!