Does Everyone Know About Emerge America?

[qwlauren35]

I only found out about this group last week, but wanted to share info about the work they are doing. Hillary includes them in her Onward Together organization and I think they are doing good things.

The e-mail I got from a friend pointed out that Republicans currently hold 32 state legislatures, and if they get up to 34, they have the ability to pass US Constitutional Amendments. That frightened the sh*t out of me, and it actually made me wonder what the DNC is doing to secure state legislatures and flip them Blue, so that this threat is not made a reality.

Enter Emerge America. While Emily's List is just a fund-raising arm, Emerge America runs boot camps for women interested in running for state offices nationwide, so that they can campaign effectively. I am so excited about this. I campaigned on the state level in 2016 and learned how important money is, but also how important visibility is - especially going to churches, civic meetings, state and county fairs, debates, etc., and how important making the right connections and getting the right endorsements is. And how important it is to have a ground team that knocks on doors, does GOTV and poll visibility. SO important. And I want to believe that Emerge America is teaching women these strategies so that they can run, and win.

At any rate, here is their website. https://emerge.ngpvanhost.com/

At the bottom of the page is a list of state-specific "Emerge" groups, and you can see if your state is there are decide if you want to get involved on the state level.

I am SO excited about this organization!

[jodymarie aimee]

1. YUP

in Wisconsin

[Phoenix61]

2. I have a friend who was a county commissioner

I'm in a deep red area and he ran as a democrat. He said he'd been one too long to change just because he was running for office. Anyway, one of the things he said that surprised me was not to use your own money. His point being that if you needed to do that it meant you didn't have the votes you needed to win. He also said you need a lot of volunteers, a whole lot. We had the same mayor for 20 plus years when a school guidance counselor ran against him and won. My friend explained that the mayor was so sure he was going to win and his friends we so sure he was going to win they didn't phone bank. The school guidance counselor did and it paid off big time.

[qwlauren35]

3. When I campaigned

there was a fair amount of phonebanking going on. You're right - it's key. However, visibility also makes a difference. I remember going to a music festival and a county council candidate was walking around. I was really impressed. He got elected.