About Us

Our Mission

To increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training and providing a powerful network.

Who We Are

Emerge Virginia is changing the face of politics by recruiting, training and providing a powerful network for Democratic women who want to run for office.

We offer our Signature Program, the only in-depth, 70-hour, training program that provides aspiring female leaders with cutting-edge tools and training to run for elected office and elevate themselves in our political system.

Our program’s trainers are comprised of an elite team of campaign consultants, advisors and staff from all over the country, who have been involved in some of the most successful campaigns and initiatives seen in recent election cycles. Participants learn from these experts and develop practical knowledge in areas such as public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, media and messaging and others. Candidates also meet an array of dynamic women who hold elected and appointed office and become a part of a supportive network, which includes a national association of Emerge alumnae, the Emerge board and advisory council members.

• More than 4,000 women trained to run for office since 2002;
• More than 500 alums currently serving in elected office across the United States;
• In the 2018 election, 415 Emerge alumnae won their elections;
• In the 2017 election, 152 Emerge alumnae won their elections;
• 52% of Emerge alumnae have run for office or been appointed to local boards or commissions;
• Strong record of diversity: 37% of our alumnae are women of color.

Emerge

Emerge Virginia is a state affiliate of Emerge, which has trained more than 4,000 women to run for office since 2002. Emerge alumnae across the country have won more the 1,000 elections to date and hold office at every level of government. There are currently Emerge affiliates in 26 states — Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado,  Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin with plans to expand to more soon. Women who graduate from Emerge Virginia’s training program are plugged into both the state network of Emerge Virginia alumnae, as well as the national network of Emerge alumnae across the country.

Why Women?

• Studies have shown women in elected office overwhelmingly support and push forward democratic principles like equality and fairness.
• When women hold public office they are more actively involved in a variety of gender-salient issue areas, including healthcare, the economy, education and the environment.
• Women legislators are more responsive to constituents, value cooperation over hierarchical power and find ways to engineer solutions in situations where men have trouble finding common ground.