Emerge California, a political training organization for Democratic women, has trained more than 900 participants since its founding in 2002. More than 40 women completed the program as part of the Class of 2026. Of those graduates, only one was from California’s Central Valley, highlighting the Central Valley’s limited representation within the program.
The organization was founded by supporters of Kamala Harris during her campaign for San Francisco district attorney. It later became part of Emerge America, a national network of state-based organizations that train Democratic women to run for public office. According to the organization, graduates who go on to run for office win about 70% of their races.
Emerge California’s six-month training program runs from January through June and combines virtual and in-person instruction. Participants complete approximately 75 hours of training focused on campaign fundraising, voter outreach, public speaking, communications, and other aspects of running for office. Most sessions are held during evenings and weekends, with a two-day training at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
“We also understand and acknowledge that women have a lot of demands on their time, from their families to their jobs and other responsibilities. So we try to make the content and the training as accessible as we can,” said Christy Smith, executive director of Emerge California.
Smith said the Class of 2026 included only one applicant and graduate from California’s Central Valley who completed the program.
Veronica Vasquez, a former Delano City Council member, was the sole Central Valley applicant and graduate in the 2026 cohort.
Vasquez said she enrolled in Emerge California to gain formal campaign training and expand her professional network.
“For my campaigns, I had a really good support system, but I learned as I went and I never had formal training,” Vasquez said. “And that’s something that this provides not only formal training and step-by-step guidance, but also networking. And that’s something that, in regard to the type of politics I do, was a breath of fresh air because this group is specifically for progressive Democratic women.”
Vasquez said she believes more women from the region should be involved in programs like Emerge California.
“I said it throughout the program that the Central Valley is very big, and there shouldn’t only be one of me,” Vasquez said. “We have so much talent here. It’s not that people don’t realize it; we’re just often forgotten here in the Central Valley.”
According to Smith, the organization typically receives more than 100 applications annually. Applicants first submit a written application describing their interest in public service and community involvement. Selected applicants then participate in a panel interview before final decisions are made.
Smith said many women interested in running for office face challenges related to confidence and self-perception.
“Imposter syndrome is real, especially with women candidates, and many women have to be asked upwards of three times before they’ll even consider putting their name on a ballot,” Smith said.
She said the program aims to provide participants with a network of peers and mentors who have experience in public service and political campaigns.
Because there were no other participants from the region, Vasquez was assigned to a Southern California cohort during the program. She said the experience highlighted differences in political infrastructure between Southern California and the Central Valley.
“I got put in the Southern California group because there wasn’t a Central Valley group,” Vasquez said. “When we would get together, they would be talking about, for example, a treasurer. It’s hard to find a treasurer. And they all had somebody, or they knew somebody. I was like, ‘Darn, I want to get there. I really want to get there.’ Throughout the program, all I could think about was how I could bring something like this to the Central Valley.”
Vasquez said one of the most valuable aspects of the program was connecting with other women who shared similar experiences in politics.
She said the training provided support and perspective on challenges faced by women candidates, including heightened scrutiny and criticism.
“A lot of times, the women running are overqualified compared to their male counterparts, and yet we get criticized and ridiculed more,” Vasquez said. “For me, hearing that that’s normal, which is not okay, helped me realize I’m not alone. There are ways to deal with it, and I can have a team help me deal with that. That’s what was refreshing to me.”
Applications for Emerge California’s next training cohort open June 22 and will close September 4. Additional information is available on the organization’s website.
