A big thanks to everyone who was able to join us in Chicago last week! It was an exhilarating four days—the kind that leave you feeling a bit giddy, a bit high, and ready to take on the world.
Now that it’s been a week since Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, we’re regrouping for what’s next: Carrying the joy of DNC 2024 through the next 67 days to elect her the next President of the United States!
But first we want to share a quick recap of our Convention adventures, especially for those who were not able to join.
What They Said: The Brunch
Our EWA Celebration Brunch on Wednesday was a huge success, with more than 250 guests and over 20 electeds joining us. The first speaker to take the stage was Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is poised to make history as only the third Black woman elected to the US Senate. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks will likely join her, meaning we are on track to make 2025 the first time in history two Black women will serve together in the Senate.
Many of the women running in competitive races were out on the trail, making every moment count in terms of dollars raised and voters contacted—as they should be with just 67 days until Election Day. But we did get a visit from Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who is running to preserve women’s representation in the Michigan US Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Debbie Stabenow. The Cook Political Report says her race is a toss up. Recent polls have shown her anywhere from one to 12 points ahead of Republican Mike Rogers.
👉🏼 Watch the full video of Rep. Slotkin’s remarks on YouTube.
A quick note on Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan: If Gov. Tim Walz becomes the Vice President, she would become the first Native American woman in history to serve as a governor.
👉🏼 See the full DNC photo album on our website.
What We Learned: The Briefing
Thursday featured an EWA-hosted briefing on the Outlook for Women in 2024 and Beyond. A special thank you to Mercury Public Affairs and former Rep. Cheri Bustos for making their office space available to us.
After a brief overview of the current electoral landscape, we heard from our three-guest panel: Kimberly Peeler-Allen, co-chair of Higher Heights; Erin Vilardi, founder of Vote Run Lead; and Michigan state Sen. Sarah Anthony. The focus of the discussion was deconstructing why women’s representation has lagged for the last two cycles, as well as capitalizing on the one bright spot for women’s representation in the 2024 cycle (that is, the one bright spot prior to Kamala being elevated as the presidential nominee)—why women are doing so well in state legislatures, and how we can help them do even better.
Hint: The fall of Roe v. Wade, which refocused abortion politics on state governments, is likely a huge factor.
To capitalize on this renewed momentum for women’s representation, the Electing Women Alliance is expanding our down-ballot work in 2024 to focus on 14 states where we can maintain and attain female legislative majorities or break Republican supermajorities with women.
👉🏼 View the full slideshow on our website.
After the briefing, Vote Run Lead Founder and CEO Erin Vilardi took a few moments to speak with our staff directly.
👉🏼 Watch her full one-on-one on Instagram.
What We Saw: Kamala’s Speech
Once our events were done, we made our way to the United Center for the Big Event—Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech on the Convention’s final night. A truly inspiring experience and opportunity to witness history.
👉🏼 Watch her full speech on YouTube.
Thanks for reading! Let’s WIN this.
— The Electing Women Alliance team