To increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and providing a powerful network.
Emerge Maryland is changing the face of politics by recruiting, training and providing a powerful network for Democratic women who want to run for office.
Our program’s trainers comprise 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 in recent election cycles. Participants learn from these experts and develop practical knowledge in 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 offices and become a part of a supportive network.
When we started Emerge Maryland in 2012, we were on a trajectory of losing women in elected office. They were retiring out of the statehouse at an alarming rate, and no one was taking their place. We rolled up our sleeves and began generating excitement around the state and training as many women as we could find to run for office.
Our first class graduated in 2013.
In 2014, we saw 23 alumnae on ballots in Maryland.
In 2018, we saw 46 alumnae on ballots in Maryland including 5 incumbents.
In 2022, our alums had a 91% win rate in the general elections!
The program works because we know Maryland politics and we are changing the face of Maryland politics with each passing election cycle.