FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2022
CONTACT: Kaleb Harmon
kaleb@emergeamerica.org
Emerge Alums Break New Barriers on the Ballot
Washington, DC—Emerge, the nation’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, announced major victories following Tuesday’s primaries in Connecticut, Vermont and Wisconsin. The organization had 64 alums on the ballot with 58 alums winning their primaries–a 91% win rate. The winning Emerge alums from these states will go on to the general election in November, representing the unique backgrounds, experiences, and identities from their communities.
Tuesday’s victories are an important step in breaking barriers for women in office. In Vermont, President Pro Tempore of the Vermont State Senate and Emerge alum Becca Balint won her primary for the Vermont At-Large Congressional District. Vermont is the only state in the nation that has never sent a woman to Congress and Cook Political Report rates it as a safe Democratic seat. She will also be Vermont’s first LGBTQ+ Congressperson if elected. Emerge Connecticut alum and State Rep. Stephanie Thomas also won her primary and, if elected, will be the first Black Secretary of State to serve in New England.
“Last night’s primaries showed the power women are having on the ballot at breaking down barriers and blazing new trails,” said A’shanti F. Gholar, president of Emerge. “Women are running for offices they have always been locked out of and are finding success as they seek to provide new representation to their communities. Whether it’s setting records, leading ballots, or being “firsts”, it’s clear the movement we’re experiencing is here to stay. And we look forward to helping it grow by empowering women to run and giving them the tools they need to win. Congratulations to all of our alums on the ballot last night and we look forward to seeing your success this November.”
Some alums who won in Tuesday’s primaries:
- Wisconsin State Rep. Dianne Hesselbein won her primary for Wisconsin’s 27th Senate District. If elected, she will be the first woman to serve in her district.
- Charity Clark won her primary for Vermont Attorney General. If elected, she will be the first Democratic woman to serve in the role.
- Melissa Ratcliff won her primary for Wisconsin’s 46th Assembly District. If elected, she will rise to higher office from the Dane County Board of Supervisors.
These victories add to the overall success Emerge is experiencing in 2022. The organization already saw 60 alums win general elections this year and more than 400 win their primaries. Including last night, Emerge has more than 575 alums on the ballot in November running for federal, statewide, state, and local offices, and in some of the most competitive districts in the country. Emerge alums will be critical in flipping seats from red to blue, maintaining and expanding majorities in municipal and legislative bodies, and blazing new trails as the “firsts” to hold their offices.
Emerge has trained more than 5,000 alums since 2002 and currently has more than 1,000 alums in elected office across the country. The organization is committed to reaching 100,000 women of the New American Majority over the next 15 years, fostering a lift as you climb culture for women in politics, and repowering political structures. There are currently 27 state affiliates, and the organization has impacted a total of 45 states, Washington, D.C. and territories.
###