Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Rebecca Freedholm, WCF Communications Fellow

Earlier this week, WCF President/CEO Siobhan “Sam” Bennett appeared on Fox News to offer her expertise on how voter dissatisfaction with the current administration will affect the 2010 midterm elections.

In a segment entitled “The Blame Game,” Steve Doocy claims that constituent’s discontentment with the economy and unemployment may lead voters to turn to the GOP during this midterm election cycle. According to Doocy, Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a “blame game,” each faulting the other for the current state of the economy.

While Doocy and David Winston, President of the Winston Group and advisor to the House Republican Conference, discussed how partisan politics will play out in the upcoming elections, Bennett suggested that frustrated voters may want to turn their attention elsewhere:

“Bottom Line—the voters are mad, and you’re absolutely right: it’s all about the economy, it’s all about jobs. And, again, we’re ranked 86th in the world in the number of women in elected office. Vote for a woman and you’ve got someone that voters trust and presents a fresh face to the electorate.”

The fact of the matter is that representation of Republicans and Democrats in Congress has been relatively balanced for a long time. If voters really want change, they should focus on getting more women candidates elected. Women currently hold only 17% of the seats in Congress, even though research shows that women’s unique leadership style has a positive influence on decision making.

People who are dissatisfied with the decisions coming out of Washington these days need to concentrate less on partisan politics in this election cycle and more on ushering in “a fresh face” to Congress. Women’s different perspectives and powerful modes of leadership may likely prove to be the key to improving our economy.

As Bennett asserts, “Women are unusually well-positioned in this election cycle.” Women candidates will, however, require voters’ help in getting elected to office in November. Join WCF in supporting strong women leaders during midterm elections so that they can enact important changes in Congress.

This post was submitted by Sophie Shulman, WCF Communications Fellow

Most 23-year-olds have little idea of what they would like to do with their lives. Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan, on the other hand, won her first race for the Georgia House of Representatives. In 2002, Morgan became the first African-American elected to represent Cobb County in the Georgia House, and, to this day, she is still the youngest woman in the body. Georgia, which is ranked 38th in the nation for the percentage of women in its state legislature, needs more women at all levels of government. Without leaders like Morgan securing lower elected office, there is no way that we can achieve gender parity across the board.

Today, she’ll face off in the Democratic primary—which will more than likely decide the general election in November. If she wins, this will be her fifth term in the House, allowing her to continue her leadership on minority, youth, and education issues. In fact, Morgan has shown amazing initiative, helping to create the Young Elected Officials Network, a group focused on helping young people secure public office. She has also proven her leadership abilities in education reform, heading a statewide effort to improve Georgia’s educational system.

Born and raised in Georgia, Morgan has a deep connection to the needs of Cobb County, Georgia, and women. She has received the Outstanding Young Woman Award from the Concerned Black Clergy, the Unsung Heroine award from the Anti-Defamation League, and was elected Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. Her advocacy for women, the environment, and social justice is evident in just a few of the organizations endorsing her: the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats, Georgia Conservation Voters, Georgia WIN List, Georgia Equality, Sierra Club, and the Women’s Campaign Forum. Morgan has also received support from the People for the American Way Action Fund, who based their endorsement on her impressive record in Georgia:

“I know that at the heart of Representative Morgan’s campaign is a commitment to ensuring that all people are protected under law.  She’s fought hard to defend a woman’s right to choose, to end discrimination against LGBT people, and to make sure working people are treated fairly on the job.  Her tenacity has made a real difference in the lives of thousands of people, and for that we should all be grateful.”

These numerous credits to her character, however, pale in comparison to the words of her daughter:

“Vote for my mommy!”

Join WCF in supporting Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan in her primary today.

In the hotly anticipated special election in Hawaii’s 1st District, State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa took second place in a strong showing with over 30% of the votes. Keep in mind that a last minute poll put her at 17% - confirming our earlier suspicion that polling in this race was unreliable at best. Hanabusa came out ahead of her Democratic opponent, Ed Case, defying the expectations of the party establishment.

Hanabusa made a veiled comment to this effect after the election results were released:

“Some told us that we shouldn’t be in this race. They told us to sit on the sidelines. They insisted that we were going to fail. But momentum has been on our side, and continues to build to our advantage.”

Although the seat will go to Charles Djou for the next few months, Hanabusa is now well-positioned for the Democratic Primary in September, and a 1-on-1 style General Election to determine who will represent Hawaii for the full 2011-2012 term.

So how does Hanabusa feel about taking on Djou, who will have the dubious distinction of being the sitting Congressperson with the lowest percentage of electoral support in the country?

“I said it before, and I’m saying it again, I’m in this race until the end, and I’m in this race to win.”

Congratulations to Hanabusa on such a strong showing in the special election. Her fighting spirit will carry her onward as this unpredictable election takes yet another turn.

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

What’s the number one issue on voters’ minds—regardless of their party affiliation—this election cycle? Jobs. According to a recent poll conducted by the George Washington University, 39% of those surveyed listed jobs and the economy their primary concern and 16% listed them as their secondary issue.

Needless to say that in one of the worst economic recessions this country has experienced, we need elected officials who understand the situation and are pushing for job creation.

Rosemary Palmer, candidate for State Representative in Ohio’s 16th district, has named job creation her highest priority if elected to office. Palmer’s extensive jobs plan involves utilizing her district’s unique location, infrastructure, as well as the wide array of research facilities to create green jobs that will not only restore the economy, but dramatically help the environment. On her green initiative, Palmer says,

“Our region’s survival will be difficult without this dramatic turnaround. However, these are not the only industries or policies that can make Ohio a global powerhouse again. We’ll need the hundreds of niche industries and innovative policies that Ohioans can provide. If ever we needed a serious discussion about what we all believe, the time is now”.

In addition, Palmer’s journalism experience as the co-founder of Capitol News Services gives her a holistic understanding of the workings of the state and federal government.

Furthermore, Palmer’s work in lobbying against the Iraq war resulted in praise from high-level government officials on both sides of the aisle, such as Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Senator George Voinovich.

As the Sun-Post Herald points out, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, upon endorsing Rosemary’s bid for office, said,

“I have known Rosemary for some time and got to know her well after her son Augie was killed in Iraq. Her passion for ending that war pushed her into public service as an advocate for policies that support the public good in the 21st Century.“

To learn more about Palmer and her stance on other important issues, click here.

Palmer’s election will not only help to improve our economy and create jobs, but it will also be one step in closing the gender gap in state legislatures—where women compose only 24% of the seats. Palmer faces the Democratic primary in Ohio next Tuesday, May 4.

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

Take 10 men—3 democrats and 7 republicans—all vying to be the next Governor of Connecticut. Now add to this mix a powerful woman who has broken the glass ceiling left and right in the political world. Enter Mary Glassman, Treasurer of the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) and Treasurer of the Connecticut Council of Municipalities (CCM)—ready to use her wealth of experience as Governor.

Glassman is sure to give the old boys’ club a run for their money.

And money is one of the many things that sets Glassman apart from her opponents. Shortly after she decided to enter the race, Glassman announced that she will be abiding by the stringent campaign finance laws made by the Connecticut Citizen’s Election Program. Candidates who choose to follow this law are unable to accept contributions from lobbyists, state contractors, and even family members—thereby completely eliminating special interests from the race.

But even by following the country’s strictest campaign finance law, Glassman was able to report an extremely strong start to her candidacy—raising more money in the first 3 months of her campaign than any of her challengers.

So how did she accomplish this without funds from special interests? Grassroots support. Sound familiar? Who knew going out in the public, shaking hands with supporters and speaking to them about important issues could actually help a campaign? Like Jennifer Brunner, Glassman is showing that taking a grassroots approach could be a winning strategy.

Glassman has a strong history of winning elections by utilizing grassroots support. In 2006, she won the fight in becoming the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. In addition, she was the first Democratic leader in more than 40 years elected to be the First Selectman of Republican-leaning town Simsbury, and served in this position for six consecutive terms. As First Selectman, Glassman utilized her background as a journalist and attorney for job creation, spending reduction, and naming the town of Simsbury among the top 100 Places to Live in America.

Learn more about Glassman and her stance on issues here.

In an election year that is already proving to be a battlefield for female candidates, Mary Glassman doesn’t seem to be backing down one bit. Will Glassman’s grassroots campaign trump special interest money?

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF Communications Fellow

After the DSCC turned its back on Secretary of the State Jennifer Brunner despite her high polling numbers, Brunner is now showing how running an extremely strong grassroots campaign can change the winds of a race.

Yesterday’s article in the National Journal stated:

“DSCC chair Bob Menendez has been upfront about his support for LG Lee Fisher (D) over Sec/State Jennifer Brunner (D) in the May 4 primary. But Dems in OH and DC have begun to whisper that Brunner may just pull out a come-from-behind primary victory. It’s a long-shot, they say, but even those who have worked against her behind the scenes say it’s possible”.

Furthermore, the article infers that Fisher still believes he is going to win purely based on fundraising numbers:

“The Fisher camp still believes the LG will roll ahead to victory and that the vast number of undecided voters will break his way because theirs is the campaign that has the money to communicate in the final few weeks of the race as voters begin to tune in.”

We all know that while money is very important component in a campaign, it most certainly is not a deal-breaker; especially in this particular election. Due in large part to her own party supporting her opponent, Brunner has far less cash on hand then Fisher—but is still managing to nip at his heels in the polls.

And Brunner’s purely grassroots campaign is definitely getting the attention of voters, as there has been a recent gain in momentum—most evident in the world of online social networks. A simple search on twitter leads to many tweets, within hours of each other, with the clear message of supporting Brunner:

Just voted for Jennifer Brunner for U.S. Senate and Oyango Snell for State Senate (15th Dis.). I encourage you to do the same!

Will bolster support as soon as OHDemParty stops throwing Jennifer Brunner under the bus.Shestood4Everone inthe State - no support.

Support Jennifer Brunner - Democratic candidate most likely to beat front running Republican for Senate. http://bit.ly/auUM1i - pls RT

In addition, the blogosphere is beginning to have a veritable field day with this race. The Ohio progressive blog “Plunderbund” published two posts yesterday regarding the Democratic primary, including one titled “Jennifer Brunner gets standing ovation in Shaker Heights, Lee Fisher’s base”.

Finally, Ohio voters and the nation are seeing what we knew from the beginning: That Jennifer Brunner is a force to be reckoned with. She’s an established leader, incredible progressive, and very much needed in the Senate.

There’s less than 3 weeks left until the May 4th primary and over 40% of Ohio voters claiming to be undecided. What will bring a candidate to victory—throwing money at the voters, or driving around on a bus and speaking with them face to face?

This posted was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

The 2010 elections are heating up, and this year we have the potential to elect a historic number of female candidates. One of the many states to watch for strong woman candidates is North Carolina. Polling shows that U.S. Senate candidate Secretary of State Elaine Marshall is close on the heels of  Senator Richard Burr (R), who currently has only a 35% approval rating.

Marshall’s increasing support is not without good reason. Even before being elected to the North Carolina state Senate in 1993, she has been nothing but a powerful voice for women. Marshall started practicing law in 1981 and distinguished herself strong advocate for women who were victims of domestic violence—and Marshall continued to help those in need while serving in the State Senate. Furthermore, she was named “Rookie of the Year” and listed among Legislators to Watch by News & Observer.

Marshall made history in 1997 after she defeated the “shoo-in” candidate, former NASCAR driver Richard Petty, for the seat of Secretary of State; she became the first woman in North Carolina to be elected to statewide executive office.

As a woman who comes from a working class background, Marshall understands firsthand the affects of gender and class discrimination and thus made it her goal to give a voice to those who are unable to speak up:

“I witnessed other instances of inequity and discrimination in my community, directed at men, women, children, and families who would have little chance of realizing their dreams. So as a lawyer, I stood up for people without a voice”.

In this broken government where women’s reproductive freedoms serve as legislators’ political football, we must ensure that there are women in Washington who aren’t afraid to speak up during times of adversity. In addition, this year the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)—the landmark legislation signed into law in 1994—is up for re-authorization.  Having a woman in the Senate who is extremely knowledgeable on this issue and has devoted her legal career to helping victims of domestic violence will be invaluable to the reauthorization process; especially at a time when domestic violence is considered a pre-existing condition to insurance companies in eight states in the U.S.

Be sure to watch Marshall and the four other Democratic nominees for North Carolina Senate in their televised debate on Thursday April 14th. This debate is hosted by WNCN-TV and the League of Women Voters of North Carolina.

Click here to learn more about Marshall and her stance on important issues.

There are only 17 women serving in the U.S. Senate. Vote early starting next Wednesday April 15th to ensure that there will be at least 18 by the end of the year. In one of the most crucial election cycles ever, let’s make another year of the woman happen.