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Emerge South Carolina Candidate Boot Camp
Emerge South Carolina held its first boot camp training
Prominent Democratic Women’s Organization Announces first ever boot camp training class for Democratic women
Columbia, SC — Emerge South Carolina, the state’s premier candidate training program for Democratic women, announced graduates from its April 2020 Boot Camp training.
Seventeen women completed the Emerge South Carolina Boot Camp training this weekend. In its third year, this is the first boot camp Emerge held. The class was made up of women from ten counties: Anderson, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Oconee, Pickens, and Richland.
“Our 17 boot camp alumnae will join an amazing network of Emerge alumnae not only in South Carolina but across the nation,” said Melissa N. Watson, Emerge South Carolina Executive Director. “We now have 24 women on the ballot for 2020…Emerge alumnae make up almost 16% of the women running as Democrats in South Carolina this year.”
Emerge South Carolina’s boot camp training program offers Democratic women who want to run for public office a unique opportunity. Women who are accepted receive 3 days of in-depth education that gives them the tools to win. The program’s trainers are comprised of an elite team of campaign consultants, advisors and staff from all over the country, who have been involved in some of the most successful campaigns and initiatives seen in recent election cycles. Participants learn from these experts and develop practical knowledge in areas such as public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, media and messaging and others. Candidates also meet an array of dynamic women who hold elected and appointed office and become a part of a supportive network, which includes a national association of Emerge alumnae, the Emerge board and advisory council members.
Emerge South Carolina is intentional about recruiting women who represent communities from across the state. The class represents 13 towns and cities in South Carolina and includes women from a diverse set of professional backgrounds, including education, social work, law enforcement, science, and the military.
“I’m so excited to join this incredible group of women leaders,” said Adair Boroughs, candidate for United States House District 2 and Emerge alumna. “Emerge South Carolina is providing knowledge, skills, and support critical for first-time candidates, and now that these resources are available in our state, we are going to continue to see more women are showing up for their communities in the political sphere. I look forward to continue learning from and helping other women working to move our state forward.”
The Emerge South Carolina 2020 Boot Camp includes:
Adair Boroughs-Columbia
Andrea Bejarano-Robinson-Honea Path
Tameika Isaac Devine-Columbia
Christine deVries-Hilton Head Island
Mary Geren-Anderson
Kristin Graziano-Charleston
Sheryl Guarniero-Cleveland
Lawanda Holliman-Columbia
Sabrina Johnson-Walterboro
Eunice Lehmacher-Clemson
Philisea Matthews-Batesburg
Millicent Middleton-Charleston
Judith Polson-Anderson
Susan Riordan-Greenville
Bev Teague-Salem
Denise Waldrep-Greenwood
Courtney Waters-North Charleston
For more information, please visit www.emergesc.org
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