Emerge Vermont, the state’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, has 59 women on the ballot in next week’s election running in races from High Bailiff to Congress. These women emerged from a successful primary season, with Emerge-trained women celebrating a 92% win rate in August. Democrats are looking to these women to hold Democratic seats, flip seats from red to blue, and provide new representation in the offices they’re hoping to serve in.
The 59 Emerge Vermont-trained women on the ballot represent one of the most diverse groups of Emerge alums running in the organization’s history. 42% are members of the New American Majority–Black, Brown and Indigenous women and women of color, as well as LGBTQ+, young, and unmarried women–seeking to provide new representation to the offices they’re running for. Additionally, 21 are first-time candidates, 11 are looking to flip a seat from Republican to Democrat, and 7 are running as trailblazers including Senator Becca Balint who, if elected, would be the first woman and first LGBTQ+ person to represent Vermont in Congress. Emerge alums across Vermont are at the front lines of repowering political structures and bringing new voices into office.
“In one week, Emerge alums will show their power on the ballot yet again and prove that when women run, they win,” said Elaine Haney, executive director of Emerge Vermont. “These 59 women have been hitting the campaign trail hard to prove why they are the best candidates for the job. And it’s working. Whether it’s running as their true authentic selves or connecting with the communities they want to serve, Emerge alums are resonating with voters, and we’re confident that will bring success at the ballot box. Good luck to all of our women running and we look forward to seeing the victories Tuesday brings for all of you.”
Of the 59 Emerge Vermont trained women on the ballot, there are:
For a full list of Emerge Vermont trained women on the ballot visit https://vt.emergeamerica.org/emerge-vermont-alums-win-big-in-primary/
Emerge Vermont has a proven track record for getting Democratic women elected. Since the organization launched in 2013, the program has trained 174 women to run for office. Prior to the August primary, 54% of alums have gone on to run for political office or been appointed to local boards or commissions, and of those who have gone on to run for an elected position, 39% have won including Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski, Senate Pro Tem Becca Balint, and Lt. Governor Molly Gray.
Nationally, 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. Emerge is committed to reaching 100,000 women of the New American Majority, repowering political structures, and fostering a lift as you climb culture for women in politics during the next 15 years.