FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2022
CONTACT: Melanie V. Ramil
510.221.6423, contact@emergeca.org
Emerge California Alums See Unprecedented Wins in 2022 General Election
Oakland, CA — Emerge California, the state’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, delivered big wins up and down the ballot in last week’s election. The organization had 122 alums on the ballot, and out of the 61 races that have been called, 41 alums won their elections – a 67% win rate.
Already, Emerge California alums have seen unprecedented victories. Notable alum wins so far include Eleni Kounalakis, California’s first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor, and Malia Cohen, who will serve as California’s first Black State Controller. Wins also include four alums – a new record – being elected to the state legislature, and our first ever alum elected to the Los Angeles City Council. Their victories highlight the growing influence that women are making in elected office and Emerge California’s new level of success after 20 years.
This election will provide fresh perspectives for many of our offices and institutions. 25 alums who have won so far are members of the New American Majority – Black, Brown and Indigenous women and women of color, as well as LGBTQ+, young, and unmarried women. Eight were first time candidates and three flipped the seat from red to blue. These women will change the face of power and bring their life experiences, passion, and resolve to rebuild and fight for a just and equitable California.
“Emerge California alums were a dominant force on the General Election ballot, and we are thrilled that so many of them have been elected to office,” said Melanie V. Ramil, Executive Director of Emerge California. “After 20 years, we’re seeing a level of success that we’ve never seen before at Emerge California, with many of our trailblazing alums now serving at the highest levels of elected office in California. These women are exceptional leaders with backgrounds, experiences, and identities that represent the unique diversity of our state. As they did on the campaign trail, these leaders will transform our political structures, provide new voices for traditionally underrepresented communities, and demonstrate the importance of women in leadership.”
Emerge California alums with confirmed victories so far are:
Emerge California has a proven track record of getting Democratic women elected. Since the organization launched in 2002, the program has trained more than 800 women to run for office. 187 alums currently serve in elected office, with 11 more to be sworn in following this November’s election. They include Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis; State Controller-Elect Malia Cohen; State Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Mia Bonta, Lori Wilson, and Dawn Addis (elect); San Francisco Mayor London Breed; Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf; Los Angeles City Councilmember-elect Katy Young Yaroslovsky; and San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Emerge California Executive Director Melanie V. Ramil to discuss the outcome of the November midterm election, the trends that led to the results, and the success women found in their races. please call 510.221.6423 or email contact@emergeca.org.
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