FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Nell Callahan
(202) 262-0721, nell@frontwoodstrategies.com
Emerge Launches State Affiliate in Texas
Austin, TX —With a surge of women newly interested in running for office, Emerge Texas is launching in the Lone Star State, becoming Emerge’s newest state affiliate nationwide. Emerge is the nation’s leading organization that recruits, trains and provides a powerful network for Democratic women to win elected office.
Through its unique 6-month, 70-hour campaign training program, Emerge Texas will provide cutting-edge tools and a vast network of support to Democratic women interested in pursuing public office at the local, state and national levels. Since Emerge was founded in 2002, the organization has trained more than 4,000 women to run and currently has 740 women in elected office across the country at every level.
“We are thrilled to be in the great state of Texas! With so many paramount races here in 2020 and beyond, there has never been a better time to train Democratic women across Texas to run for public office and serve,” said A’shanti F. Gholar, President of Emerge. “Emerge Texas represents an important step forward in our efforts to create a more inclusive democracy. By equipping women with the tools they need to launch successful campaigns, we are helping them claim their seats at the table and investing in the future of our nation. When women run, they win and we’re excited to see that continue here in Texas.”
There are currently four Emerge alumnae in Texas, including Judge Shannon Baldwin of Harris County Criminal Court #4 who made history in 2018 after becoming one of 19 African American women to be sworn in as judge in Harris County.
“The launch of Emerge Texas demonstrates our organization’s commitment to ensuring the Democratic women in the South and Southwest have an opportunity to fight for their communities and make real, lasting change wherever they live,” said Rashmi Yadav Marya, Board Chair of Emerge. “We know that there is significant energy and a passion for change among Texans and we believe that lifting up even more Democratic women of all backgrounds into elected office will build on that movement.”
Emerge will work in partnership with several other organizations on the ground who are also working to build a robust pipeline of Democratic women to run. This includes the Texas Democratic Party, Annie’s List, Texas HDCC, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, among others.
Now, more than ever, our state needs an organization like Emerge to empower Texas women looking to serve in public office” said Regina Montoya, Board Member of Emerge. “Having the premier candidate training program for Democratic women right here at home will ensure we can get more women on the ballot who are ready to fight for their communities, districts, and all the people of Texas.”
To learn more about Emerge Texas, please visit emergeamerica.org. Follow Emerge Texas on Twitter @EmergeTexas and on Instagram @emerge_texas.
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