Emerge America, a national organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, has formed a Washington affiliate and will hold two “candidate boot camps” to provide instruction on campaigning to potential candidates in the Northwest.
The sessions are scheduled for May 12-14 in Spokane and June 9-11 in Seattle. Democratic women from Washington, Montana, Idaho and Utah running for office in 2017 are encouraged to apply.
Emerge Washington is Emerge America’s 18th affiliate nationwide. It aims to recruit, train and inspire Democratic women to pursue public office at the local, state and national levels.
Political strategists and trainers will teach boot camp participants key elements of campaigning, including developing a campaign plan, fundraising, messaging, press operations, public speaking and grassroots field operations.
Democratic women from Washington, Montana, Idaho and Utah who are running for office in 2017 are encouraged to apply.
Emerge America’s training model has proven successful in recent elections in the Northwest. In the November 2016 election, 150 of the 214 Emerge alumnae on the ballot won their races – a 70 percent win rate.
Candidates appearing on the ballot in 2017 are eligible for the Northwest training program. Tuition is $300 and includes the training, associated materials and food. Participants are responsible for their own lodging.
Attendees who complete the boot camp will be considered Emerge alumnae and have access to alumnae resources, as well as continuing education opportunities for alumnae. Tuition may be paid by personal or campaign committee accounts. Due to campaign finance regulations, Emerge America and Emerge Washington cannot provide scholarships to boot camp participants.
The Northwest Regional Candidate Boot Camps are the first of several boot camps Emerge America and its affiliates will be hosting across the country. The deadline to apply for the Spokane training is May 5, and the deadline to apply for the Seattle training is June 2. To apply, visit www.emergeamerica.org/EmergeWA.
