(Note: The following was submitted to The Pocomoke Public Eye by Emerge Maryland. We do not solicit or endorse material of political nature. Comments on any published item are welcome.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Contact: Diane FInk 301-788-1661
diane@EmergeMaryland.org
Emerge Maryland Women Win Big in Democratic Primaries
FREDERICK, MD— The success of Emerge Maryland, the state’s premier candidate training program for women for the past ten years, has again been proven as their alumnae continue to shatter glass ceilings and break down barriers for women across Maryland.
With 63 women from the Emerge Maryland candidate training program running in 12 counties and Baltimore City and statewide, 45 candidates—over 70 percent—emerged victorious, from Garrett County to Worcester County.
According to Emerge Maryland Executive Director of 10 years Diane Fink, “The organization is pleased that we are seeing more representation from the New American Majority.” This group includes people of color, unmarried women, LGBTQAI, and young voters. “Seventy-one percent of our primary winners represent this new rising American electorate.”
If she wins in the upcoming General Election, Brooke Lierman will be the first woman elected to the office of Comptroller and the second woman independently elected to statewide office. Barbara Mikulski was the first.
“Making history and breaking a glass ceiling in Maryland is exciting; even more important is the prospect of being a champion for Maryland families. As the first woman to occupy the seat of Comptroller, I will bring a new perspective and reimagine how the Comptroller’s office can support Marylanders to build financial resilience, tackle economic inequality and the racial wealth divide, and prepare to meet the challenge of climate change.”
Young women continue to step up as the next generation to lead the way. Seventeen of our primary winners are under 40, and in Frederick County, Jessica Fitzwater will be the youngest woman ever to serve as the top county official.
“I am thrilled to be part of the next generation of leaders in the State of Maryland.” Said Fitzwater, “It’s time to meet this moment with bold action and transformational leadership- and Emerge Maryland women know how to get it done!”
Emerge Maryland primary wins breakdown as follows; 1 Comptroller, 16 General Assembly seats, 1 County Executive seat, 10 County Council seats, 2 County Commissioner seats, 1 State’s Attorney, 2 Board of Education seats, and 12 Democratic Central Committee seats. Sixteen of these women were top vote-getters in their multiple seat races.
Applications are now open for the 2023 program. For more information on the entire program and Taste of Emerge Maryland one-day training, please visit www.emergemaryland.org.
Please see the attached chart for a complete list of Emerge Maryland alumnae who were victorious in the primary election.
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Emerge Maryland is the premier candidate training program for Democratic women seeking elected or appointed office. The intensive, cohort-based training builds a team within each class that supports each other. Emerge provides 70 hours of in-depth candidate training and ensures women are ‘ready to run.