FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2022
CONTACT: Melanie V. Ramil
contact@emergeca.org
NEW: 93 Emerge California Women on the Ballot in November
Oakland, CA — Emerge California, the state’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office and win, announced it has 93 women on the ballot this November, in races from school board to the state legislature and more. This follows a successful primary season for the organization, which celebrated 24 alum candidate victories.
More than 70 percent of Emerge California alum candidates are members of the New American Majority – Black, Brown, and Indigenous women and women of color, as well as LGBTQ+, young, and unmarried women – nearly half are first time candidates, and 10 would flip seats from Republican to Democrat. Many of these women are also running as trailblazers who will be a “first” to hold their seat – first woman, first woman of color, first LGBTQ+ person, and many more – including Malia Cohen who, if elected, will be California’s first Black State Controller.
“After a groundbreaking Primary Election, Emerge California alums are ready to hit the campaign trail and continue their success on the ballot in November,” said Melanie V. Ramil, Executive Director of Emerge California. “These 93 women will flip seats from Republican to Democrat, compete in some of the most important elections in the country, and provide powerful new and unique perspectives in office. As we look to increase women’s representation in office this year, Emerge California alums and their success will be essential in making it happen.”
More information about the alums on the ballot:
- 13 are running at the state level, the most in organization history, including for Lt. Governor, State Controller, and 11 running for State Assembly and Senate
- More than 60 percent are women of color, including 25 Black women, 13 Latinas, and 12 Asian American and Pacific Islander women
- One third are under 40
Emerge California has a proven track record of getting Democratic women elected. Since the organization launched in 2002, the program has trained over 800 women to run for office. 186 alums currently serve in elected office, including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis; State Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen; State Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Mia Bonta, and Lori Wilson; San Francisco Mayor London Breed; Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf; and San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot.
For more information, please visit ca.emergeamerica.org.
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Emerge California is celebrating 20 years of recruiting and training Democratic women to run for elected office in 2022. More information about the 20th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser: Emerge Victorious available at ca.emergeamerica.org/20th-anniversary/.