Quick Action
The number of progressive women running for office in Maine and around the country is breaking records, thanks in part to programs like Emerge Maine that train women how to run for office. Apply for the 2019 Emerge Maine class and join the ranks of women working to change the political landscape.
SUM Admin C2A
THE ISSUE
A record number of women are running for office this year, including 251 for the U.S. House, 23 for the Senate and 30 for governor. Women make up 23% of non-incumbents running for Congress, up from 16% last year. Among Democratic candidates for state office in Maine, women make up nearly half of the candidates for the Maine House, one-third of those running for Senate, and more than half of those running for governor. Among the slate of Maine women running for local, state, and federal office are 46 graduates and 4 advisory board members of Emerge Maine, a program that trains Democratic women to run for office. Emerge accepts 25 participants each year for short but intensive training in campaign management, communications, and fundraising. Emerge Maine has trained more than 250 women since 2006, and is one of the oldest U.S. affiliates of Emerge America, which has trained some 4,000 women in 24 states. More than 500 Emerge alumnae hold public office around the country, and 560 are on the ballot this year. In Maine in 2016, every Emerge Maine incumbent in the statehouse kept her seat and 12 alumnae won House seats, for a 72% win rate.
THE ACTION
Apply for the Emerge Maine Class of 2019. To apply, visit Emerge Maine’s website or email contact@emergemaine.org. Deadline is June 30.
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
