Democrats ‘Emerge’ to recruit women candidates

A recent column on candidate recruitment and endorsement by the Assembly Democratic Caucus continues to generate conversation.

Erin Bilbray-Kohn reminds me that Democrats have been recruiting and training promising women and minority candidates for the past four years through a program called Emerge Nevada. Bilbray-Kohn is a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Founded by Bilbray-Kohn in part to offset the party challenges of term limits, the Emerge Nevada program continues to gain support. Bilbray-Kohn says, “Our program is seven months long. We give women not only the tools to run, but a strong network.”

In June, for instance, a “Debate Boot Camp” will be held for program participants.

“In four short years we have graduated over 60 women,” Bilbray-Kohn writes. Six of our graduates have been elected to office, and 16 women are running for office this year alone.”  Bilbray-Kohn notes that three of the women endorsed by the Assembly Democratic Caucus are Emerge Nevada participants.