Passion. Experience. Strategy.
Founder & Principal
Elaine F. Almquist is the founder and principal of Almquist & Associates, working with progressive candidates and organizations to build political power, win office, and nurture long-term movements. Elaine believes that with courage, persistence, and a solid infrastructure, a participatory and democratic political system that sustains, empowers, and uplifts people is possible.
Elaine has spent twenty years on the ground in campaigns and organizations, leading communities to flex their political muscle for progressive victories.
Elaine is also a professional trainer and coach, sharing her expertise at the National Democratic Training Committee, Contest Every Race, Emerge Massachusetts, Mass Alliance, and WeLead OC. Elaine serves on the Advisory Board of Rank The Vote, promoting Ranked Choice Voting systems across the United States. She has lived in Germany, Colombia, and Greater Boston. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Email: elaine@almquistandassociates.com
Our Team
Erica Scott-Puopolo, Chief Fundraising Officer
Erica guides candidate teams to robust fundraising success lead by her nearly two decades of professional development background. Through her work with progressive candidates, she aims to build sustainable community power structures and to achieve just policy transformations. Erica is a seasoned fundraiser, mentor, strategist, multilingual communicator, and problem-solver who has served in leadership roles, creating positive social change for diverse causes and communities.
Christina Warriner, Senior Campaign Associate
Christina proudly serves as a Senior Campaign Associate at Almquist & Associates. Through her work with progressive candidates, she aims to build sustainable community power structures and to achieve just policy transformations.
Christina works closely with campaigns to develop authentic and effective messaging strategies, assists in raising the resources they need to build a broad and diverse coalition and provides internal operational support to Almquist & Associates team members.
Christina brings over five years of political experience to her role at Almquist & Associates. She has previously served as a constituent services aide and interim regional director for Senator Ed Markey, as a Regional Organizing Director for Senator Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign during the 2020 New Hampshire primary, and as Campaign Manager for Gretchen Van Ness during her 2020 state representative race in Boston.
Christina is a proud first-generation college graduate. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Political Communication from Northeastern University and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Social Work at Boston College.
Mark Lannigan, Campaign Associate
Mark Lannigan is a Campaign Associate with Almquist & Associates working to support candidates’ fundraising, field, and other electoral goals. Born and raised in Medway, Mark has worked with a number of progressive candidates across Massachusetts, from the local to the federal level, including most recently as Campaign Manager for Madeline Ranalli for Newton City Council. In the collective effort to build a more just Commonwealth, he knows that strong, people-powered, change-driven campaigns are at the heart of our strategy.
Mark is active in the Sunrise Movement, Young Democrats of Massachusetts, the College Democrats of Massachusetts, and is currently a Democratic State Committee member. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy at Tufts University, where he also teaches a class, “The Politics and Philosophy of Kurt Vonnegut.”
Tori Torres, Campaign Associate
Tori Torres is a Campaign Associate with Almquist & Associates originally from Orlando, Florida. Tori worked as a Campaign Manager for Dr. Cara Berg Powers for Worcester School Committee in 2019. Alongside her work as Campaign Associate, Tori is an intern with the Gender Affirming Name Change Initiative at Western New England School of Law. In that role, she is developing a program to help transgender and non-binary individuals navigate court processes to change their names and gender markers on legal documents.
She graduated Cum Laude from Assumption College in 2020 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Philosophy. She is also a member of Phi Sigma Tau, the National Philosophy Honor Society. Tori is currently a JD Candidate at Western New England School of Law.
“Elaine is the strategist you know you need and the therapist you don't expect to need. She is a smart crisis manager who makes you feel you can handle anything. Being a candidate is a strange and wonderful experience, but it can often feel isolating. Fortunately, she has seen it all.”
– Erica Scott-Puopolo, former candidate for Mayor of Fall River