FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19th, 2019
CONTACT: press@votemama.org; 978-879-8921
NEW YORK— Vote Mama, the first PAC to support Democratic moms running for office, endorsed their first three candidates on Tuesday, March 19th.
Tina Belge-- South Carolina’s 6th State Senate District
Melissa Conyears-Ervin-- Chicago City Treasurer
Gina Walkington-- Wisconsin’s 64th Assembly District
All three candidates support paid family leave, universal pre-k, and a woman’s right to choose.
Vote Mama Founder and CEO, Liuba Grechen Shirley, stated, “I could not be more excited to endorse Tina, Melissa, and Gina. Their proven track records of fighting for healthcare, economic opportunities, and education embody the Vote Mama mission to elect moms who will fight for working families at all levels of government.”
Tina Belge, one of Vote Mama’s three candidates said, "I'm incredibly excited to be endorsed by Vote Mama, and be part of their efforts to get more mothers elected to office fighting for issues like children's healthcare, education, family leave, and childcare. Like founder Liuba Grechen Shirley says, 'We need our kids to see that running for office is just what mamas do.'"
Gina Walkington, who is running for Wisconsin State Assembly said, "I'm so thrilled to be endorsed by Vote Mama. We need more moms in office, and running for office as a mom of three young boys isn't easy. Vote Mama understands the unique challenges mothers running for office face. It's refreshing to have a group that supports mothers like me all across the country!"
"I am incredibly honored to receive the first endorsement ever by Vote Mama, an organization that champions and supports progressive working mothers running for office. As a working mother, I appreciate how Vote Mama is helping empower women, who undertake all the responsibilities of running for office, while most importantly being a mother," says Melissa Conyears-Ervin, candidate for Chicago City Treasurer. "As a working mother, who was raised by a hardworking single mother in Chicago, I understand the challenges mothers face in this city. I am proud to have the support of Vote Mama and look forward to helping Chicago's
working families."
Vote Mama will support these three candidates, as well as all endorsed candidates, with financial support and mentorship. Vote Mama will release their full first slate of candidate endorsements in early April.
Vote Mama endorses Democratic moms who support a woman’s right to choose, paid family leave, and universal pre-K; provides mentorship by connecting candidates with mothers who have run; and increases the political power of moms by stepping in to disrupt the systems that hold women back through direct financial support.
The Vote Mama Advisory Committee includes:
Rep. Terri Sewell, U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Grace Meng. U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Kim Schrier, U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Gwen Moore, U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Katie Porter, U.S. House of Representatives
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York Lieutenant Governor
Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive
Michaelle Solages, New York State Assemblywoman
Kimberly Jean-Pierre, New York State Assemblywoman
Aravella Simotas, New York State Assemblywoman
Melissa Sargent, Wisconsin State Representative
Angela Angel, former Maryland State House Delegate
Kelda Roys, Former Gubernatorial Candidate
Katie Bethell, Founder, Paid Leave US
Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal, New York City
Gayatri Agnew, Former Arkansas State House Candidate
Regina Bateson, Former Congressional Candidate
Reshma Saujani, Former NYC Deputy Public Advocate Founder, Girls Who Code
MJ Hegar, Former Congressional Candidate
Lauren Baer, Former Congressional Candidate
Vote Mama is partnering with prominent organizations dedicated to electing women to identify mothers who are running to support and mentor, including Emerge America, Run for Something, New York City National Organization for Women (NOW), Eleanor’s Legacy, and Square One Politics.
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