ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has announced that Sean Trende, Senior Elections Analyst for RealClearPolitics and a Lecturer in Political Science at The Ohio State University, will serve as the featured speaker at the Political Involvement Reception, presented by the NACDS Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC). Held during the 2026 NACDS Total Store Expo (TSE), August 15-17 in Boston, the reception will bring together pharmacy leaders and advocates for a discussion of the 2026 midterm elections, less than three months before voters head to the polls.
Trende is one of the leading political analysts in the world, known for a rigorous, data-driven approach to understanding American elections and the shifting coalitions that shape them. He pairs deep statistical expertise with sharp, accessible commentary on the forces reshaping the political landscape.
"Sean Trende's ability to cut through the noise and explain the current state of American politics makes him an ideal voice for our members as they look ahead to November and beyond," said NACDS president and CEO Steven Anderson. "Sean's read on the electorate, combined with his academic rigor, will help attendees assess what's at stake for pharmacies, patients, and communities as the political landscape continues to shift."
Trende is the author of The Lost Majority: Why the Future of Government Is Up for Grabs and Who Will Take It and co-author of the Almanac of American Politics 2014. Before turning to political analysis full time, he spent eight years practicing law at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Hunton & Williams LLP, representing clients in a variety of contexts, from state trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Trende holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and a master's degree in Applied Statistics, both from The Ohio State University. He earned his law degree from Duke University and his bachelor's degree from Yale University.
The 2026 NACDS Total Store Expo will bring together pharmacy leaders and innovators for three days of education, networking, and business development. The Political Involvement Reception stands as a cornerstone of the event, designed to energize grassroots advocacy around pharmacy's role in shaping the nation's health.
Questions about the NACDS Political Involvement Reception can be directed to NACDS' Bill Tighe at wtighe@nacds.org.
