Emerge New Jersey Hosts Build the Bench Panel Discussion to Encourage Women to Run for Office
Emerge New Jersey Hosts Build the Bench Panel Discussion to Encourage Women to Run for Office
Trenton, NJ – September 13, 2018 – Emerge New Jersey, part of a nationwide organization dedicated to training Democratic women for public office, held its annual Build the Bench Breakfast September 13.
“Now more than ever, it is important that women’s voices be heard,” stated Shawn Laurenti, Emerge New Jersey’s board chair. “This is our moment. There is a surge of women seeking office in record numbers. They need our support and training. Working together, we can create a new path for politics in New Jersey and the rest of the country.”
Six Emerge New Jersey graduates are running for office this year: Catherine Gural for Montgomery Township Council, Nicole Gillespie for Moorestown Council, Lauren McCaskill for Long Branch Board of Education, Tricia Maguire for Middletown Council, Kate Matteson for Sparta Board of Education, and Marleen Baldinger for mayor of Lebanon Township.
Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr moderated the panel discussion focusing on issues that impact women and the need for more democratic women to run for office at all levels of government. Participating on the panel were three elected leaders from all across the state: Assemblywoman Joann Downey (11th Dist.), East Windsor Mayor and Mercer County Democratic Chair Janice Mironov, and Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett.
This year’s Build the Bench awards honored four New Jersey leaders for their democratic leadership efforts: Julia Diaz, chief of staff, New Jersey Department of Labor; Michelle Jaker, director of government affairs, Horizon; Rebecca Williams, Union County freeholder; and Christina Zuk, strategic advisor for government affairs for Princeton Public Affairs Group.
Emerge New Jersey also acknowledged the contributions of Truscha Quatrone who left her position as executive director to pursue other opportunities. “Emerge New Jersey has been the beneficiary of Truscha’s extensive experience as a Democratic Party activist and a dedicated public servant. We wish her much success in all her future endeavors.”
About Emerge America
Established in 2005, Emerge America’s goal has been to change the face of power, politics, and leadership in this country to reflect the needs of all Americans. The organization, which has expanded into 22 states including New Jersey, works to increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and networking. So far, more than 2,500 women have graduated from its intensive, cohort-based six-month training program.
CAPTION: (left to right) Shawn Laurenti, Emerge New Jersey’s board chair at the podium, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, East Windsor Mayor and Mercer County Democratic Chair Janice Mironov, Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett, and Assemblywoman Joann Downey (11th Dist.).
(Photo credit: NJEA)
