On November 8th of 2016, the seemingly bleak future ahead left American’s and people all over the world in utter disbelief. For the next two years, and potentially, even longer, an alleged sexual abuser and candidate that openly used racist language and mocked the disabled would be in the pinnacle of political seats.
Trump’s defeat against Democrat Hillary Clinton caused people to cry openly in public, declaring their obvious disapproval.
When 45th President Donald Trump was sworn into office under an ominously stark cover of clouds, it was hard to believe that anything positive would come as result of this.
Image Source: New York Times
Yet, it did. After the initial blow, women all over the country decided to change what was happening themselves. They started running for office. Then they won, even in some predominantly red states.
In June’s Primary Elections Huffington Post reported that out of the 92 women running, 36 of them won the popular vote. Over 500 women have signed up to run in the 2018 primaries which is a staggering 67% increase since 2016’s elections.
Most of the women running are Democrats, although there are a few Republican candidates. In some states, such as Iowa, the results could mean possibly seeing the first women to be elected Governers of their state. One notable candidate from New Mexico, Deb Haaland, could also be the first Native American Congresswoman in history.
Amongst those who won is one of NYgal’s favorites Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New Jersey candidate and Democrat Mikie Sherrill, whose campaign is being managed and run by Millenial women.
“That election was a real slap in the face to a lot of us, progress wasn’t inevitable," she told Bloomberg earlier this year.
Sherrill, who served as a Navy pilot, worked as a federal prosecutor and is a mom of four hopes to land the House seat that is currently held by a Republican.
Veteran and mother of 4 Mikie Sherrill is one of the most qualified candidates ever for Congress pic.twitter.com/3vONU9xTmo
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) May 16, 2018
Her campaign that was initially a four-person team has flourished since last year to about 100 interns and even more volunteers. Furthermore, there are 15 paid, full-timers and over half of them are women; almost all of the leadership roles such as the campaign manager are run by women.
Not only are the candidates who are running women, but their campaigns and everything behind the scenes is growing in diversity, since the 2016 presidential campaigns, where only three women were managers.
In a profile published on Elite Daily on some of the women working for Sherrill’s campaign, finance director, Hilary Badger said, "Donors look at someone like Mikie and they see the future, and they look at me and Mollie and Jackie and the campaign that we’re running and they see the future."
Adding that, "It’s something they want to invest in and it’s something they’re excited about."
A winning campaign relies on people like you! Every donation made, every phone call logged, and every knock on a door is a step towards flipping #NJ11! https://t.co/A5kofakMlM pic.twitter.com/cjdGPmi4km
— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) July 23, 2018
The ever precarious women’s healthcare is currently in the hands of the Republicans, who are notoriously anti-choice.
Ultimately these stances affect women, especially younger Millenials, like those working on Sherrill’s campaign and is a large factor in why women are choosing to pursue politics. The number of women candidates that are running are naturally more Democratic and figures show it’s rapid escalation in recent years.
Image Source: Bloomberg
Sherrill is a strong pro-choice advocate, naming Women’s rights as one of her issues, her website states…
"I am pro-choice. A woman’s health decisions should be between her and her doctor. The federal government should have no say on when, how, or with whom women decide to start or grow a family."
Some other goals mentioned on her page are creating jobs and stabilizing the economy, providing education that is affordable and of a first world standard, preventing gun violence, tackling the opioid crisis and climate change. Regarding health care, Sherrill breaks down a step by step plan and writes, "It is time for Washington to stop playing politics with our healthcare."
Leo is on #TeamMikie because he wants to see improved healthcare for all Americans. Tell us why you're on #TeamMikie. #NJ11 pic.twitter.com/sZmMdpBLN5
— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) August 2, 2018
NYgal wishes you luck in November, Sherrill!
Cover Image Source: Glamour
