FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2020
Contact: (916) 396-6153
contact@emergeca.org
Sacramento, CA — Emerge California – the premier candidate training program for Democratic self-identified women who want to run for office – announced their support of the historic selection of Senator Kamala Harris as Joe Biden’s running mate to become the next Vice President of the United States.
Nearly twenty years ago, Senator Harris helped inspire the founding of Emerge California. She knows just how important it is to encourage women to run for office and ensure they have the tools they need to win. Ever since, Emerge California has been doing just that.
Melanie V. Ramil, Executive Director of Emerge California, said, “We know that Senator Harris is the best person to help lead our country at this moment. We need leadership that can heal the painful division in our nation, fight for racial justice and equity, bring science back to the White House and support families who are struggling — and we all know, a woman will get it done!”
She continued, “On a personal note, as Senator Harris’ former Deputy State Director during her first year in the United States Senate, I know how dedicated she is to serving others, and to ensuring that each and every one of us have the opportunity to be heard, to be seen, to love who we love, to achieve without immense barriers, and to live a life with opportunity.”
Senator Harris’ rise from San Francisco District Attorney to potentially the next Vice President of the United States is the story of Emerge California women. Her rise in national politics, while blazing a trail of firsts throughout her career, forecasts an exciting era for California Democratic women.
While women across the state still remain underrepresented at all levels of government – from city councils to the State Legislature, women still only hold thirty percent of all elected seats – Emerge California has been a leader in changing the face of politics. Emerge California is training a record number of women in 2020, and more than one hundred Emerge California women are running for office in 2020 – the most in organization history.
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Emerge California’s signature training equips leaders with the resources, knowledge, connections and community of support necessary for a successful run for office. Since 2002, we have recruited, trained and supported over 700 Democratic self-identified women across California. When Emerge California alumnae run for office, they win nearly 70% of the time.
Emerge California’s signature program is a 6-month, intensive training program for Democratic self-identified women who are planning to run for elected office. We are intentional about recruiting Democratic self-identified women from groups that have been historically underrepresented in politics, including Black women, non-Black women of color, Indigenous women, and LGBTQ+ women. We seek to recruit and train leaders who reflect the communities they serve and have the life experiences that allow them to reimagine and rebuild our institutions in the fight for a just and equitable world.