Emerge Maine Gearing up for 2012 Election Cycle by Recruiting New Class

July 1, 2011

Emerge Maine is now recruiting Maine women for its class of 2012. The non-profit organization which offers campaign training for Democratic women is looking for individuals who are committed to effective political leadership and are interested in running for elective office.  It offers a comprehensive training program designed to give them the skills needed to win. They must be registered Democrats and residents of the state of Maine.

“We have moved up our training schedule three months this year because of the importance of the 2012 election cycle,” says Katie Mae Simpson, Emerge Maine executive director.  “Although we don’t endorse candidates we empower and encourage Democratic women to enter the public arena and we have a strong record of success.  The 2012 elections are pivotal elections  because of the conservative agenda in play on the state level. We know that the next Emerge Maine class will help to turn that agenda around.”

Emerge Maine will select between 20 to 25 women from across the state.  This will be the 6th class the organization has trained.  Candidates will attend training sessions once a month from September through February.

Emerge Maine uses a national model to offer the competitive 6-month campaign and leadership training. It brings together women from all walks of life to meet with campaign, organizing, public speaking and media experts from across Maine and America. The program pairs participants with mentors and connects promising women leaders with some of Maine’s most accomplished political leaders, building what they call the new “old girls” network.

Emerge Maine was founded in 2006 when the number of women serving in the State Legislature sank to a new low. Eighty-six women have graduated from its program since then with over 30 of its alumnae winning election or appointment to some level of office.  The latest “Emergista” to successfully run for office is Shelby Wright who was recently elected to the Hampden Town Council in a special election in June of 2011.