NM Program that Trains Women to Run for Office Now Taking Applications

EmergeNewMexico's Deadline is March 15th
EmergeNewMexico, a statewide organization co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and former Attorney General Patricia Madrid, is currently accepting applications for its specialized training program for Democratic women who want to run for public office.

Democratic women in all parts of the state who are interested in seeking public office are encouraged to apply for this one-Saturday-a-month, seven month, rigorous and comprehensive training program that will teach participants the skills necessary for a successful campaign. The curriculum includes information about organizing a campaign, creating a message and fundraising.

Applications are available now at www.emergenm.org and must be postmarked by March 15, 2007. For more information about applying, contact Julie Koob at (505) 920-6002 or emergenm@yahoo.com. 

“When women run for office, women win office,” said EmergeNew Mexico Board Co-Chair Giovanna Rossi. “EmergeNew Mexico was created to give Democratic women the tools they’ll need to get started and to succeed. From the school board to the U.S. Senate, New Mexico women must have a voice.”

Nationally, Emerge training programs have demonstrated enormous success, with 60 percent of graduates going on to win their first race after completing the program.For more than a decade, more than half of all college graduates have been women, yet women hold only 14 percent of the seats in the U.S. Senate and 15.3 percent in the U.S. House of Representatives.

EmergeNew Mexico believes the solution to the problem is teaching women to think of themselves as political leaders.  Specifically, the organization’s mission is to identify, educate, and inspire Democratic women who want to pursue a career in politics at the local and state level in New Mexico.  Emerge is dedicated to making a long-term investment in these future leaders by developing their political and media skills; expanding their knowledge of local issues; and connecting them with mentors.