Kimberly Pope Adams was an auditor in Virginia when she received a call from Democratic state Senator Danica Roem, encouraging her to run for office. Roem suggested that Adams attend a six-month training program with Emerge, a national group aimed at preparing Democratic women for political candidacy.
Adams described the training as comprehensive, touching on campaign finance, communication, media, and strategic planning, stating that it significantly improved the participants as candidates. After losing her first election by a mere 53 votes, she is now preparing for another competitive seat this November.
Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics, noted that intentional efforts have significantly benefited Democratic women candidates. Unlike their Democratic counterparts, Republican women have not seen similar success; recent findings show that women make up only 21.3% of the Republicans in state legislatures, highlighting the lack of investment in their candidacy.
As women slowly gain representation, they now make up over 33% of state lawmakers across the U.S., a notable increase from 24.5% a decade ago. This growth is attributed to deliberate actions from Democratic organizations to recruit and train women to run for office.
Advocacy groups such as Emerge and Emily's List focus on empowering women in politics. Emerge has trained more than 6,500 women, resulting in roughly 1,200 currently serving in elected positions. This year, states like Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado have achieved gender parity in their legislatures for the first time.
In contrast, there is a noticeable lag among Republican women. Patricia Russo from The Campaign School states that while they provide training, the overall resources and support for Republican women are far lesser compared to Democratic efforts. Virginia Delegate Amanda Batten emphasized the need for renewed leadership programs to inspire future female candidates within the Republican Party.
Women's voices are increasingly recognized as vital in policy discussions, with many viewing varied representation as essential for effective governance. These movements and discussions mark a promising new chapter for women in politics.
