In direct response to the ongoing divisive overreach of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and his Republican rubber-stamp Legislature; Emerge Wisconsin has changed the dates of its 2012 training program in order to allow more women to run in 2012. “By moving up the program to 2011, this will allow Emerge graduates extra time to construct the foundation for winning campaigns,” said Executive Director Wendy Strout.

“We want to capture the enthusiasm of women motivated to run for office by the shameful policies of the Scott Walker administration.  We want to make sure that those women not only have the training, but also the time to be successful when they run against the Republicans in their district.” Emerge Wisconsin Chair Sharon Corrigan said Monday.

The recall movement was only the start. Emerge Wisconsin has the opportunity to build on the momentum that’s out there to stand up to Scott Walker and translate it into electoral success for a strong bench of Democratic women. The program, designed to train women candidates at all levels, will also continue to recruit and train women for this upcoming 2012 class that are planning to run for local office in 2013 and 2014.

The new schedule for the 2012 class is:

July 1 – July 29:                      Applications accepted for 2012 program

August 2011:                           Interviews/acceptance of 2012 class members

Sept. 2011 – March 2012:       Emerge WI’s 2012 Program

Launched in 2007, Emerge is the only organization in Wisconsin that provides Democratic women with the comprehensive training they need to achieve their political aspirations.  Emerge Wisconsin is part of Emerge America, a national movement and premier training program that addresses the under-representation of women in office at the local, state, and federal level.  There are Emerge affiliates in nine states: Arizona, California, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin.  Emerge was founded to create a legion of Democratic women leaders for generations to come.

The Emerge Wisconsin program has graduated such figures as Oshkosh Deputy Mayor Jessica King, who is running against recalled Senator Randy Hopper, gives women the tools, the networks and the confidence to compete in local and state elections.  For more information, visit http://www.emergewi.org.

Wisconsin has 23% women serving in its state legislature and has never had a woman governor.