ABOUT
EMERGE CALIFORNIA
Emerge California is changing the face of California politics by identifying, training and encouraging self-identified Democratic women to run for office and win. We offer an in-depth, six-month, 70-hour candidate training program that provides aspiring women leaders with cutting-edge tools and training to run for elected office and elevate themselves in our political system. Training sessions cover everything from fundraising and field game to communications, storytelling and running a culturally competent campaign.
Too often, women do not see themselves running for office—they assume they do not have enough experience, or they do not know where to begin. While women make up more than half of the population, women hold only 30% of seats in the California State Legislature and in local seats across the state.
Emerge California’s premier candidate training program has proven tremendously effective in increasing these numbers. Since 2002, Emerge California has trained nearly 800 women. Over half of them run for office just years after graduating from Emerge California’s premier candidate training program, and when Emerge California alumnae run for office, they win nearly 70% of the time. Its success spurred the founding of Emerge America, our national partner that focuses on replicating the Emerge model across the nation – there are currently 30 Emerge affiliates in the United States.
Today, 182 Emerge California alumnae hold elected office throughout the state, including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff, San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon and San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are currently no open volunteer opportunities with Emerge California. We will update this page when we have a new opportunity!