December 2004

Women are silver lining for Democrats in 2004

In an election that held multiple disappointments for Democrats, women had significant successes. EMILY’s List helped elect five new pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House — more than in any election since 1998 — and 140 women to state and local office from 28 states. Every EMILY’s List candidate seeking re-election won: 35 congresswomen, plus Senators Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Patty Murray (Wash.), and Barbara Mikulski (Md.), and Governor Ruth Ann Minner (Del.), who were all targeted for defeat by Republicans.

"We had some frustrating defeats, make no mistake," says Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY’s List. "But our frustration is mitigated by the satisfaction of winning some really competitive races and adding so many new women to state and local office."

• Melissa Bean (Ill. 8), one of two Democrats to defeat a Republican incumbent.
• Stephanie Herseth (S.D. at-large), elected to a full term four months after winning a special election.
• Gwen Moore (Wisc. 4), the first African-American elected to Congress from Wisconsin.
• Allyson Schwartz (Penn. 13), who won one of the most competitive races in the country.
• Debbie Wasserman Shultz (Fla. 20), who clinched her place in Congress by winning a safe Democratic seat.

More women ran for Congress in 2004 than ever before, and when the new Congress convenes in January, more women will serve (at least 65 in the House and 14 in the Senate) than ever before. Five of the nine new women elected to the House were supported by EMILY’s List:

Schwartz was running in one of the most-watched congressional races in the country. Pennsylvania’s 13th district is one of the few remaining swing seats left, and it was up for grabs in 2004. With strong support from EMILY’s List members and WOMEN VOTE!, Schwartz won a competitive primary in April. She went on to face an even greater challenge in the general election against a wealthy physician whose campaign tactics led her to be awarded two "Sleazies" by a local columnist.

"Allyson’s victory over Melissa Brown proves that leadership and experience trumps negativity," says Malcolm. "Tempered by a hard-fought primary battle and grounded by 14 years as a state senator, Allyson proved her mastery of the issues and her ability to create effective policies on the economy, education, and health care. She’ll be an engaged and passionate leader in Congress."

In Illinois, EMILY’s List ran a strong WOMEN VOTE! campaign that helped Melissa Bean defeat the longest-serving Republican in the House, Phil Crane, in a GOP-leaning district.

"Melissa demonstrated that innovative ideas and hard work can pierce the armor of incumbency," says Malcolm. "It’s almost impossible to defeat an incumbent, but she persuaded voters that she would represent them with dauntless energy and commitment in Congress, providing them with accountability and accessibility for the first time in years."

Gwen Moore’s victory illustrates the exciting synchronicity that can develop between EMILY’s List recommended candidates and our Political Opportunity Program for downballot candidates. Moore gave up a safe Democratic seat in the Wisconsin Senate to run for the open fourth district of Wisconsin — creating an opportunity for state Rep. Lena Taylor, who received POP support, to secure Moore’s state Senate seat. Another POP candidate, newcomer Tamara Grigsby, will take Taylor’s place in the state House.

"That’s exactly the kind of synergy we hope to replicate in state legislatures across the country through POP," says Britt Cocanour, deputy political director, who oversees this program. "We are helping a new generation of strong women leaders gain experience. They are the hope, spirit, and future of the Democratic party."

Creating a pipeline

Since 2001, more than 2,500 women actively running or considering a run for office have undergone POP training. During the 2004 election cycle, POP held 40 candidate training seminars in 29 states, training 1,600 women. In addition to the training program, POP provides financial, technical, and staff support for pro-choice Democratic women candidates for state and local office. Many POP candidates are assigned staffers from Campaign Corps, EMILY’s List’s training program for young political activists. Many POP candidates also get a boost from WOMEN VOTE! activity in their communities.

In 2004, Democrats took control of seven state legislative bodies, six on the strength of the women candidates who received POP support: the North Carolina House, the Vermont House, the Oregon Senate, the Washington Senate, and both the House and Senate in Colorado. Women are expected or have been elected to the top leadership positions in all these states.

POP Highlights

In Colorado, all 13 candidates backed by POP won, Democrats took control of both houses, and women will lead for the first time in state history. Joan Fitz-Gerald will be Senate president and Alice Madden will be House majority leader.

In North Carolina, seven POP-supported candidates helped Democrats regain control of the House. Julia Boseman, the first openly gay candidate elected to the N.C. legislature, will serve in the Senate.

In Michigan, EMILY’s List worked with House Minority Leader Dianne Byrum to gain five seats and help set the stage for 2006, when Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow are up for re-election.

In Oregon, the formerly tied Senate went Democratic, with Kate Brown as majority leader. Laurie Monnes Anderson and Joanne Verger won two of the three seats Democrats took from Republicans.

In Washington state, Lisa Brown will serve as the first woman majority leader in the state Senate, which Democrats won with help from successful POP candidates Mary Margaret Haugen and Rosemary McAuliffe.

Building a progressive community

About three weeks before the 2004 election, EMILY’s List marked a major milestone in its history when we reached the high point of 100,000 members. EMILY’s List remains the country’s largest political action committee. Members made 116,589 contributions to candidates, with an average contribution of $92.54, for a total of $10.8 million.

"These victories are an indication of how important women are for Democrats to build in the long term," says Malcolm. "Once again, women candidates, women voters, and women contributors were the foundation of Democratic success across the country."

Final thoughts

It's clear from the comments we've gotten that EMILY's List members, while down about the 2004 election, are far from out. We are deeply moved and encouraged by the words of wisdom we've received from members, many who were part of the historic Air EMILY volunteer canvass in Florida. EMILY's List members are a hearty and energetic bunch, more than ready to face the challenges ahead.

"As I dragged myself into the airport at 1 AM, a college student caught up with me. 'You are such an inspiration! Let me get a picture of you for my room.' I smiled for the camera. Imagine, at 81, I'm a pin up in a guy's dorm." -- Bonnie Herndon, Charlottesville, VA

The more women and men who come to understand what EMILY's List stands for, the sooner we can have a very different outcome to a pivotal election like this. -- Diane Mallery

"The only good thing that has come out of this heartbreaking national loss is the fact that people like me are no longer willing to be passive." -- Claire Brook, Hillsdale, New York

"I am devastated by the loss to a lying, power-hungry administration, but today I am getting ready to fight for a better world." -- Rebecca Bahr

"If we now feel like Sisyphus, let us rally and change things two years from now, not to mention four. I'll be with you." -- Connie Ellis

"Of course I am extremely disappointed, but going to Florida was an experience of a lifetime. Visiting a poor Haitian neighborhood where everyone was a huge Kerry supporter, and little kids tugged on my shirt chanting, "Kerry, Kerry," was an extremely heartwarming experience." -- Christina Lakatos, Arlington, Virginia

"I was, partly selfishly, hoping that with a Kerry win, I would be able to relax a bit -- maybe return to business as usual. But, alas, we still have to be incredibly vigilant. No rest for the weary. I am a registered Republican who laments how the zealots have stolen and perverted our party's principles, and am glad you are there for us." -- Rebecca L. Lubetkin, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

"We're down, but we're not out. Florida was a FABULOUS experience. Not having the outcome that we hoped for doesn't change how powerful being there was. I look forward with great optimism to the opportunities that lie ahead to continue the fight to win back our country!" -- Christina Kretchik, Washington, D.C.

"Are you ready for 2006 and 2008? Because I am." -- Chuck Gardner (an EMILY Democrat!!!), New York City

Contribute

News & Media