Newsroom

News Articles

Jan 31 2013

Both Sargent and Hesselbein graduated from the Emerge program before running for their current offices. The program works with Democratic women who are potential candidates for political office. Newly elected Reps. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) and Mandy Wright (D-Wausau) and Sen. Nikiya Harris (D-Milwaukee) also graduated from the Emerge program.

"I tend to think that had I not gone through Emerge I probably wouldn't have had the self-confidence to run for state Assembly," says Sargent.

Aug 21 2012

Wendy Strout wants to know, “Why not you? You have the skills and ability to run for office, to be in office, why not you?” This is the platform that the program Emerge runs on, bringing seven-month long training programs to interested women across the nation.

 

Jul 8 2012

Wisconsin Progress was founded in its current form in 2009. Prior to that, it was associated with Progressive Majority, a national organization with the same goal.

That goal is not to just get Democrats elected; it's to get specific Democrats elected — the liberal kind. The privately funded organization backs politicians who strongly support environmental protections, abortion rights, labor unions and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"If there are 10 Democrats elected, we want seven of them to be ours," Spector said.

The organization is not the only of its kind in the state. For example, Emerge Wisconsin, which has 27 candidates running for office in the fall, is dedicated to getting more Democratic women elected

Jul 7 2012

Madison – Emerge Wisconsin has trained 100 Democratic women to run for office.  Twenty-seven Alumnae are running this fall including three who are running for State Senate: Senator Jessica King, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Nikiya Harris and Tanya Lohr.

Jul 1 2012

A great State Representative, Emerge Advisor and Inspiration to Emerge Alumnae and all Democratic Women!

 

Jun 11 2012

As Wisconsin moves forward with the next election this fall, Emerge Wisconsin announces that 27 graduates of the Emerge training program are running for office this fall.

This year’s Emerge Wisconsin graduates running for office currently include three for State Senate; two running for County Clerk and 22 alumnae are running for State Assembly.

Mar 12 2012

Emerge Wisconsin is part of a national organization which exclusively trains Democratic female candidates to run for office at the state and local level.  Executive Director of Emerge WI Wendy Strout spoke to the alarming under-representation of women in the Wisconsin legislature, “Just here at the capital there is only twenty-five percent of the legislature is women and that is both parties.” Of course this is an issue that is nationwide.

Aug 19 2011

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.

Apr 19 2011

Given the Scott Walker agenda for Wisconsin, and for working women, and a Republican Legislature unwilling to stand up to him, it is clear that there is a great need for people who will stand up.  From harming small businesses to gutting education to cutting SeniorCare and BadgerCare, Scott Walker and the Fitzgerald brothers have put Wisconsin’s families at risk.

Apr 11 2011

From an old friend, Wendy Strout, who is now the executive director for Emerge Wisconsin, and who is up to great things:

Blog Posts

Apr 3 2013

Dear Friend;

Tuesday night was a big night for Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae!  Thirteen of our alums were on the April 2nd ballot!  As of today, the majority won their elections!

We are proud of all of our alumnae who stepped up to say "Yes, I will run."  We look forward to great things from all of the alumnae!  You can learn about all of our alumnae who ran by clicking on the picture below.

Nov 8 2012

Emerge Wisconsin is extremely proud of the Emerge Wisconsin alumnae who stood up and said "Yes, I will run."  Thank you to every single one for running and working to serve your community in elected office.

Sep 3 2012

Today, we celebrate and honor the workers who have fought for and continue to fight for the rights that, until now, have been taken for granted: the right to bargain a fair contract; the right to provide a comfortable living for our families; the right to join a union and speak out about our rights without fear and intimidation; and the right to be part of the middle class.  Emerge Wisconsin proudly supports a worker’s right to organize.  

On Labor Day and every day, Emerge Wisconsin continues to stand with our friends and partners in organized labor.  We are proud that our training includes the history and appreciation of organized labor and all that we have because of the fights unions have taken on.

We are proud that Emerge continues to recruit and train women from labor to run for elected office - several of whom are seeking elective office this year.    

Emerge Wisconsin believes that the pathway to winning back the stolen rights of workers includes the recruiting and training of more Democratic women to run for office.

Emerge Wisconsin proudly stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in labor and wish you a very happy and peaceful Labor Day.

Mar 29 2012

Candidate for U.S. Senate, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's answers to our Women MAKING History Month Questions.

Mar 26 2012

Candidate for Governor, Kathleen Falk's answers to our Women MAKING History Month Questions.

Mar 24 2012

Candidate for Governor, State Senator Kathleen Vienhout's answers to our Women MAKING History Month Questions.

Mar 8 2012

State Senate Candidate Kristen Dexter's answers to our Women MAKING History Month Questions.

Mar 3 2012

Emerge Advisor and State Senate Candidate Representative Donna Seidel's answers to our Women MAKING History Month Questions.

Mar 1 2012

We hope that women across Wisconsin will join us in celebrating Women MAKING History Month and consider running themselves.

We asked the women running for State Senate, Governor and U.S. Senate to help us inspire Democratic women across Wisconsin by answering 3 questions.

Press Releases

Jan 18 2013

Emerge Wisconsin Introduces their 2013 Class

Madison – Emerge Wisconsin is excited to announce their seventh class of Democratic women ready to run for elected office.  The 2013 Class follows in the footsteps of current and former elected officials, including Senator Jessica King ‘07 (Oshkosh), Representative JoCasta Zamarripa ’10 (Milwaukee), County Board Chairwoman Tara Johnson ‘10 (La Crosse) and Alderwoman Kelly Westlund ’11 (Ashland).

Jan 6 2013

Madison – Emerge Wisconsin is proud that as of today, there are eight Emerge Wisconsin alumnae serving in the State Legislature.  Five alumnae - Senator Nikiya Harris (Class of 2011), Representative Dianne Hesselbein (Class of 2009), Representative La Tonya Johnson (Class of 2012), Representative Melissa Sargent (Class of 2012) and Representative Mandy Wright (Class of 2012) – join returning alumnae - Representatives Penny Bernard Schaber (Class of 2007), Jill Billings (Class of 2011) and JoCasta Zamarripa (Class of 2010). 

See full press release here.

Oct 3 2012

Emerge Wisconsin is proud of Representative JoCasta Zamarripa who is being honored today by Emerge America with the Trailblazer award.  As an Emerge Wisconsin Alumna from the Class of 2010, it is no surprise to her Emerge family in Wisconsin that she is receiving this award. 

Aug 24 2012

“In order for us to stop the attacks to diminish women’s rights, we need more women in office. We are proud that the training Democratic women receive from Emerge Wisconsin inspires them to run for and propels them into elected office.” Wendy Strout, Executive Director. 

Aug 15 2012

“Emerge is proud of all the alumnae who stepped up to run.  We are excited to have so many of our alumnae running and committed to taking back Wisconsin.” Wendy Strout, Executive Director.

Jul 17 2012

Emerge welcomes 3 new members to the Emerge Wisconsin State Board including Emerge Alumna Margo Miller, Class of 2009.

Jul 17 2012

Emerge welcomes 3 new members to the Emerge Wisconsin State Board including Emerge Alumna Lashell Drake (Class of 2012).

Jul 17 2012

Emerge welcomes 3 new members to the Emerge Wisconsin State Board including Emerge Alumna and La Crosse County Board Chairwoman Tara Johnson, Class of 2010.

Jul 17 2012

Madison - Emerge welcomes 3 new members to the Emerge Wisconsin State Board – Emerge Alumna and County Board Chairwoman Tara Johnson (La Crosse) Class of 2010; Alumna Margo Miller (Portage) Class of 2009; and Alumna Lashell Drake (Brown Deer) Class of 2012. 

 

Jun 28 2012

For Immediate Release:                                 June 28, 2012

For More Information, Contact:                      Wendy Strout, (608) 692-7556

Twenty-two Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae Running for State Assembly This Fall

Put Yourself On The Ballot

Learn about the Emerge program, how to apply and get connected to our Council of Allies

Join Our Movement

Thank you for your interest in Emerge Wisconsin. To stay informed about the Emerge program and upcoming events, please provide the best contact information below. Together we will take back our state!

Contact Information
Address
Interests

Support Our Work

Emerge Wisconsin needs your help to expand our training.