Graduates of the program have included members of Congress and national campaign managers.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — On Friday, 68 political aspirants graduated from Election School at Yale University’s Election Boot Camp.
Women from across the U.S. and abroad spent the five days learning what it takes to run for public office.
“This program is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral political campaign training program,” said Patty Russo, executive director of the Yale Campaign School (TCSYale).
For almost three decades, TCSYale has been on a mission to increase the number of women in elected and appointed offices in the United States and around the world.
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Although only 28% of US Congress members are women, there is a desperate need for more women in political leadership, she said.
“I think a lot of times moms like me, especially women, feel like we don’t have the time to do more, and I know that’s not true,” said Ayana Taylor, TCSYale participant and state senate candidate.
“I’ve run for municipal office before, but doing this now in real time and simultaneously while running for office myself has actually been an added value,” she explained. “It’s very nerve-wracking, but there’s a lot I can bring back to my current campaign.”
Taylor said the experience he gained during the Electoral School’s annual five-day boot camp has been invaluable.
“They’ve been doing this for a while now. They know what they’re doing, the expertise in the field, the bipartisanship that we’re putting in place, that’s invaluable,” she continued.
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These women will hear from current and former campaign managers and political advisors, participate in workshops, and present their own mock election projects at the end of the week.
“The bottom line is, you’re amazing and we want you to shine where you are, because if you don’t shine, someone else will,” said Deb Sofield, a speech coach at TCSYale. “We want you to fill that spot first, because you’re ready.”
The program has celebrated successful alumni, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), former Rep. Gabby Giffords and top campaign managers for candidate Nikki Haley.
“It’s not about quickly identifying party affiliations, it’s about wanting to win, wanting to do the best we can, wanting to work together to find solutions,” Russo said. “That’s what’s great about our school, and I hope that our students continue to have that mentality.”
“Leave the politics aside because we’re all human beings here. The reality is, if you can’t learn it here, you’re not going to learn it there,” Sofield added.
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Not only is the program nonpartisan, it is also open to people already in public office.
“I’m currently an elected official – I’m the mayor of Windsor, Connecticut,” Nuchet Black-Burke said. “Some may wonder why I would choose to do an intensive week of electoral school after having campaigned on a political campaign, but for me it was to sharpen my skills.”
These graduates are sending a message to women who want to get involved in politics: there’s nothing stopping you.
“We’re a big group of voters, more than half the population,” said state House candidate Rene Lamarck Muir. “We have to be there when the decisions are being made.”
“You can do it, and I’m an example of that,” Black-Burke said. “I’m a mother and a wife. You can do it too.”
This year, 65 percent of attendees were women of color, a record number for TCS Yale.
Candidates who are actively running say they are feeling very confident ahead of this year’s primary and general elections.
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