There is an unprecedented surge of first-time female candidates, running for political office nationwide in Election Year 2018.
But here in California, the bluest state of them all, women candidates are still hitting a wall. Women account for only 26 of the 120 state legislators -- and they actually lost seats in the past two elections. In a round of caucus meetings back in January, Democratic Party activists in three competitive Southern California House races overlooked EMILY’s List-endorsed candidates and threw their support, by wide margins, to men.
Even after the #MeToo movement, female candidates in California are still forced to contend with lots of disadvantages — fewer political connections, competitors with higher profiles, a lack of desire for bare-knuckle politics, and supporters unaccustomed to writing women large checks.
But the 2016 election has energized women in unprecedented numbers to step up to run - what will the results be in 2018?
We met at Arcade Underground in Old Sacramento to talk with two women running for political office, and two women who recruit and train novice candidates. They explained the upsides and challenges for women candidates running in California, what has changed for better and for worse after Election 2016, and what they predict will happen in this current election year.
PANELISTS
* Regina Bateson - Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 4th Congressional District
* Kula Koenig - president of the Sacramento chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action
* Rachel Michelin - executive director of California Women Lead
* Amanda Renteria - former aide to Diane Feinstein, Hillary Clinton and Xavier Becerra who is running for Governor of California
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY
* O to 4:25 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers
* 4:25 min - Panelists introduce themselves -- and talk about the women who inspired to get them into government and politics
* 10:50 min - What made Amanda Renteria decide to enter the Governor's race at the very last minute
* 13:25 min - Why Regina Bateson decided to stay in the race when the California Democratic Party chose not to endorse her
* 16:35 min - Why California women lost legislative seats in the past few elections, and what their prospects are in 2018
* 21:40 min - Do women of color have political clout in California now? And what should the state's political parties be doing to get them into office?
* 25:15 min - Women "making waves" while running for office - what is the significance of doing that in Election Year 2018?
* 33:40 min - What are the pros and cons of being young, first-timer candidates in this race? And are they shaking up the "old guard" and "boys' club?"
*44:05 min - How to bring young women into political campaigns and have them run as candidates
* 47:25 min - How women can be outspoken but avoid verbally stepping into political brouhahas
* 50:15 min - How first-time candidates can get their message heard when running for any political office is expensive
* 57:35 min - What was the lowest point during your political career that shook you to the core, and how did you bounce back?
* 1 hr, 3:40 min - How do you fire up politically-apathetic youngsters to vote, let alone run for office?
* 1 hr, 12:10 min - How to make sure the surge of women running for office isn't just a trend but instead a change that lasts for the long run
