Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

Time to gear up, folks! I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s “full speed ahead” starting next Tuesday until the general elections on November 2nd.

This year we have a great opportunity to elect a lot more women. With women holding only 17% of seats in Congress, 24% of state legislature seats, and 12% of Governor seats,  something must change. If these stats don’t do anything for you, how about this:

To close these giant gender gaps in public office, we need to elect: 144 more women to the House, 33 more in the Senate, 19 more female governors, and double the number of women in state legislatures.

Yes, it’s quite a daunting task—especially when women aren’t running at the rate of men. But luckily, we already have a large number of great female candidates running, with more popping up every day.

To start things off, both Ohio and North Carolina have their primary elections a week from tomorrow on Tuesday, May 4. Here are nine fantastic female candidates to keep your eye on:

Secretary Jennifer Brunner: U.S. Senate from Ohio - if elected, she will be the very first woman senator from Ohio.

Rosemary Palmer: Ohio State House of Representatives, District 16

Tamela Lee: Ohio State Senate, District 27

Secretary Elaine Marshall: U.S. Senate from North Carolina

Patsy Keever: North Carolina State House of Representatives, District 115

Paula Brooks: U.S. House of Representatives, District 12

Rep. Marcia Fudge: U.S. House of Representatives, District 11

Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy: U.S. House of Representatives, District 15

Rep. Betty Sutton: U.S. Representatives, District 13

These women bring an incredible range of experience, skills, and leadership to the table that will begin to help us close the gender gap in Washington. 18 years ago, in 1992, we elected a record-breaking number of women to office.

We’re hoping that 2010 will be the second, much bigger Year of the Woman. Are we ready to attack this problem?

Crossposted from the Newark Advocate, by Jeremy Cannon

On May 4, Ohioans have a chance to turn the page.

The 2010 Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate pits Lee Fisher against Jennifer Brunner. Fisher has been a staple in Ohio politics since the early 1980s. He’s probably most famous for his five-point loss in the gubernatorial race of 1992.

With Brunner, we have found a politician of tomorrow, today: a smart, capable progressive who has run a grassroots campaign that has touched many people and excited voters, while Fisher runs a top-down campaign aimed at the party elite.

Jennifer Brunner has taken strong stances on issues important to Democratic voters. Brunner came out on a wide array of issues with particular force and finesse: the wars, trade, an urban agenda, health care, clean energy, gay rights, education, Social Security, health care, veterans, worker’s rights and more.

Brunner is capable of exciting independents, moderates and liberals, while Fisher has not shown the ability to impress anyone but the Democratic Party elite. Brunner breaks with her party on issues of importance to all of us, and I am positive she would do so if we gave her the chance as a member of the U.S. Senate.

Vote Jennifer Brunner and help turn the page on May 4. Help select a candidate who will be our candidate and not the candidate of the Democratic Party elite.

This post was submitted and co-written by Julie Daniels, WCF Political Programs Manager. WCF believes so strongly in Jennifer Brunner’s candidacy that they sent Julie to work on the ground in Ohio for her campaign.

Ever since I met Secretary Jennifer Brunner, I’ve been a fervent supporter. She is warm and personable, yet strong and commanding. The more I learn about her, the more I believe in her run for U.S. Senate—especially since the Democratic party told her to be a good girl and stay in her place as Secretary of State.

Julie and Brunner with the Courage Express

But now that I’ve been on the ground in Ohio, riding the Courage Express with Brunner around the state for three weeks, I am among thousands of supporters who are absolutely certain that she is the right choice for U.S. Senate. And not just the right choice—the necessary choice.

In a race where Brunner, the out-fundraised and Party-abandoned candidate, could have easily faded into the background, we’re now seeing just the opposite. Despite relying purely on grassroots organizing, Brunner maintains a single-digit gap in the polls between her and Democratic challenger Lee Fisher—as well as against the potential Republican opponent, Rob Portman.

If Brunner can garner this much primary support without Party or financial backing, can you imagine what she’ll do as the Democratic nominee?

Brunner and Julie on the campaign trail

Brunner has exactly what Americans are clamoring for on both sides of the aisle: integrity, transparency, and a fresh perspective. I.e., no Washington insiders. They want folks who will arrive on the Hill and show no fear in truly representing their constituents.

But both Brunner and Fisher claim to be just that candidate.

So who’s right: the guy supported by the Party establishment, holding Galas and throwing money at the voters via TV ads, or the woman driving around the state in an old silver school bus, speaking one-on-one with the voters?

And let me remind you again that Brunner was repeatedly told to step aside by Party leaders. If anyone is a Washington outsider, it’s her. If anyone is directly connected with the voters’ concerns and priorities, it’s her.

I wonder how Lee Fisher is assessing the needs of Ohioans—I don’t think you can have a two-way conversation through a TV ad.

Working side-by-side with Jennifer Brunner has truly reminded me why I get out of bed and go to WCF every morning—she embodies why we exist.

And this race is the perfect example of what’s wrong with politics for women: When the Party doesn’t allow for competition, women disproportionately end up being kicked out of the race.

It is only due to her stamina, commitment, and courage that Brunner has stayed in this race, despite every effort to force her out.

Every day—and almost every hour—I can feel the campaign gain momentum as we go from place to place and hear more supporters who say, “I’ve already voted for you, and I’m telling all my friends to do the same.”

Along with many Ohioans, I have witnessed the kind of leader that Jennifer Brunner will be in Congress and know that her passion for public service is unmatched. Her dedication to Ohio residents would undoubtedly override political selfishness or pressure to toe the Party line.

So if we truly want change in Washington, we need a leader who will ask the hard questions, be inclusive yet unrelenting, and truly advocate for their constituents. We want Jennifer Brunner. We need Jennifer Brunner.

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?

Strange winds are blowing from Washington to Ohio to Hawaii.

In the Buckeye State, polls continue to show that Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is hot on the heels of Lt. Governor Lee Fisher in the Democratic Primary Election for U.S. Senate set for May 4th.  This is a true testament to Brunner’s grassroots support in Ohio, considering the fact that her fundraising has been put in a choke-hold by the boys at the top.

Brunner is a popular statewide elected official who is well-respected as a reformer in the daunting realm of electoral oversight, yet somehow she has only encountered resistance and neglect from the party elite.

Meanwhile in Hawaii, State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D) will face former Congressman Ed Case (D) and Councilman Charles Djou (R) in a winner-take-all special election for U.S. Congress on May 22nd. With two viable Democrats running in a tight race, the national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is worried that this heavily-Democratic district might slip away from them.

Although the DCCC generally stays out of primary races, Chairman Chris Van Hollen has indicated that they will not rule out an endorsement, and several sources have indicated that his organization is leaning toward Case.

This is perplexing to say the least. Hanabusa already has the endorsements of both Hawaii Senators and most major Hawaii labor groups, and has handily out-raised Case throughout the race. Hanabusa has served in the Hawaii State Senate for twelve years—she was the first woman to head either legislative house in Hawaii and is the first Asian-American women to lead a state legislative body.

In short, she is a viable and eminently qualified candidate with considerable local support. The only advantage Case seems to have is that he entered Congress in 2003 as part of the same cohort as some DCCC leadership—though we trust that such relationships would not effect the Committee’s decisions.

Both Brunner and Hanabusa are qualified, well-liked candidates who hold statewide leadership positions. The voters have already signaled their support in the polls – so why are the boys at the top holding back? Why do national committees continue to tilt the playing field in favor of male candidates, without clear justification?

And this certainly isn’t just a Democratic issue: Let us not forget how the National Republican Congressional Committee abandoned Dede Scozzafava in NY-23 last October, which cost them the race.

This trend of blocking and abandoning female candidates is greatly disturbing, to say the least. We must stand up and tell the old boys’ club: Let voters decide. The games stop now.

In two very different Federal-level races, female candidates are fighting back against blatant examples of sexist Old Boys’ Club behavior.

In the Ohio Senate race, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is no stranger to being bullied by the big boys—essentially being told to stay in her place and mind her manners. Most recently, Brunner discovered that her primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, was covertly angling for a last-minute endorsement from the State Democratic Party before early voting began for the May 4th primary. A state party endorsement would undermine the purpose of the primary, especially in a race where all candidates are neck and neck.

Brunner fought back by rallying her supporters with the slogan, “Hands Off Our Primary!” There was a resounding grassroots response, and Brunner supporters sent over 74,000 emails to party leaders, demanding neutrality until the primary was over. Fisher and the State Democratic Party both backed off under this considerable pressure.

Meanwhile in Florida’s 7th district, Congressional Candidate Heather Beaven’s opponent, Rep. John Mica, was exposed for accepting considerable funds from the host of lavish all-male cigar parties. Yes, the kind of gathering where several male elected officials schmooze with their cronies, sip scotch, smoke cigars, and ogle paid models (the only women in attendance).

Beaven made a statement against the scandalous cigar parties in her district:

“These secret clubs were planned to be entertaining and lucrative for attendees, some of whom were awarded major government contracts. Is this what we hired our representatives to do? The Good Ole’ Boy System of years past is not what we need to lead us into a prosperous 21st century. What else is being decided at these private male-only clubs?”

She asked supporters to get behind her and send a message to Mica that, “when you lay down with the dogs, you come up with fleas.”

To say that both of these stories reveal women’s uphill battle in politics is an understatement. There cannot be a level playing field until voters and politicians send the message that backroom deals and boys-only schmoozing are not acceptable. We must elect a critical mass of women who will dismantle the Old Boys’ Club and demand transparency in our political world.

Otherwise, we might as well post a sign on the Capitol that says “No Girls Allowed.”

A woman can either be a prude or promiscuous. Too pretty or too masculine. A shrew or a doormat. As women try to tip-toe somewhere in the middle, we find that one small move can send us plunging straight into one of the extremes.

And of course, politics is not free of these dichotomies: Sarah Palin is hot. Hillary is mean. Martha Coakley is a Jezebel.

But lately I’ve noticed a new double standard arising: Women candidates either have too much money or not enough.

Let’s look at two different races: Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner running for U.S. Congress and Linda McMahon running for Senate in Connecticut.

From the beginning, Jennifer Brunner has been told she shouldn’t run for Senate because she’s such a good Secretary of State. They need her there. This is one of the most classically lame “reasons” given to women as to why they shouldn’t run for higher office.

On top of that, she’s now being assaulted by her own party about her fundraising. Bob Menendez of the DSCC is threatening not to support her until she raises more money—despite the fact that many are saying she’s the only hope for a Democratic win (Lee Fisher reportedly lost his last two campaigns, despite outraising his opponent).

Unfortunately, we all know that fundraising is a necessary component of political campaigns. (That’s a whole different rant for a different day). However, I have to ask—would Menendez be pulling support from the more viable male candidate who wasn’t raising as much as his less-viable opponent?

Now let’s look at Linda McMahon. The former chief executive of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), she apparently has too much money. Though hundreds of male candidates have self-funded their way to elected office, McMahon is being accused of trying to buy the seat.

Again, all personal feelings about campaign financing aside, I have to say that it’s nice to finally see a successful woman using her wealth to run for office. Men have been doing it for decades, so for better or for worse, seeing a woman have that same ability gives me some sense of satisfaction.

But I do wonder what kind of double standard women in politics will face next. I’m sure 2010 will unfold some new gems for us, as well as reignite some old classics.