Updated: May 19, 2012 Index:
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney easily won both the Nebraska and Oregon Republican primaries this week, with margins far surpassing others on the ballot including former Sen. Rick Santorum (PA), whose campaign ended a month ago, and Rep. Ron Paul (TX), who suspended campaigning activities on Monday. Paul, however, still intends to send his delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, come August.
Running for president: Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (Libertarian), President Barack Obama (D), Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R),
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R), former Minnesota Gov. Timothy Pawlenty (R), Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
- from AAUW's Washington Update for May 8, 2012.
This week, the AAUW Action Fund launched It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard, a nonpartisan voter education and turnout effort that aims to maximize the electoral power of young women in the 2012 election. Eighteen- to 30-year-olds represent the largest generation since the baby boomers and present the strongest opportunity to increase voter turnout among women. As part of this national campaign, the AAUW Action Fund is providing grants to 15 target states to help them increase the influence of women in shaping public policy. The My Vote campaign will also focus on critical issues that affect women such as jobs, college affordability, and health care, including access to birth control.
“AAUW stands on a rich history of civic engagement and voter education,” said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. “We recognize the power of a single vote, and we will do everything we can to encourage all citizens to cast an informed ballot. Women must get involved in the political process to ensure that the issues they care about get the attention they deserve.”
- from AAUW's Washington Update for February 17, 2012.
Democrat Suzanne Bonamici beat Republican Rob Cornilles this week in a special election to represent the first congressional district of Oregon. Bonamici pulled in 54 percent of the reported vote to fill the seat vacated by David Wu. A former state senator, Bonamici will be the only woman in Oregon’s congressional delegation. Bonamici brings the tally to 73 women serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for February 3, 2012.
The 2012 election will see the largest number of women running for Senate seats in history. For the first time, more female than male Democrats are pegged to run in highly contested Senate races. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA), who is the first woman ever to chair the committee, has spent the past few years aggressively recruiting women candidates who will help the Democrats maintain their senatorial majority.
AAUW believes that women will play a crucial role in the 2012 election, both as candidates and as voters. We are proud to launch a serious investment in getting out the women’s vote for the 2012 election with our new My Vote: I Will Be Heard campaign. We will work to educate women across the country about the rights and privileges that are at stake in the upcoming election; we will increase the volume and direction of women’s voices and commit ourselves to getting women to the polls in record numbers.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for December 2, 2011.
An advisor to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told Newsweek that gender discrimination no longer exists. Former Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork, the co-chairman of Romney’s Justice Advisory Committee, said he believes that the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment should not apply to women because they are not discriminated against anymore. He also said married couples do not have a constitutional right to use contraception. Bork was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, but failed to pass his Senate confirmation.
AAUW’s The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap illustrates that gender discrimination still exists. Women earn only 80 percent of what their male counterparts make on average one year after graduation. Five percent of that difference cannot be “explained away” by men’s and women’s life choices.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 21, 2011.
Recent weeks have seen two potential GOP presidential candidates – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin – announce that they won’t enter the 2012 race. Christie subsequently endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican.
The Washington Post reported that Romney affirmed his frontrunner status in the most recent GOP debate, held Tuesday. Romney shared the limelight with Republican businessman Herman Cain, who has seen a spike in polls as of late.
Running for president: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Herman Cain (R-GA), former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R), former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (R), President Barack Obama (D), Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) Dropped out: Former Minnesota Gov. Timothy Pawlenty (R)
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 14, 2011.
This year, Tennessee followed several other states to pass a voter identification law that will go into effect for the 2012 election. Voting rights advocates and civil rights groups, such as the NAACP and ACLU, oppose voter identification laws because they marginalize poor, elderly, and minority voters who are less likely to have government-issued photo IDs. One such example has recently occurred: Dorothy Cooper, a 96-year-old Chattanooga resident, was denied a voter ID card for failing to produce her marriage license.
Cooper wanted to ensure she would have the necessary ID to vote in next year’s elections. Cooper provided a rent receipt, a copy of her lease, her voter registration card and her birth certificate. Typewritten on the birth certificate was her maiden name, Dorothy Alexander. The clerk denied Cooper her free ID at the Cherokee Boulevard Driver Service Center because she did not have her marriage certificate, which would document her legal name change. Cooper doesn’t have a driver’s license because she never learned how to drive. Under the Tennessee law, until she produces a certified copy of her marriage license Cooper will not be able to vote at polls on Election Day 2012.
AAUW believes it is vital for everyone, especially women, to be able to vote. AAUW is proud to launch a serious investment in getting out the women’s vote for the 2012 election. Through the It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard campaign, we will work to educate women across the country about the rights and privileges that are at stake in the upcoming election. We will increase the volume and direction of women’s voices and commit ourselves to getting women to the polls in record numbers.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 7, 2011.
On Tuesday, a special election was held in New York’s Ninth District to fill the vacancy created after the resignation of former Rep. Anthony Weiner’s seat (D). Businessman Bob Turner (R) defeated David Weprin (D) with 53% of the vote. The district, which contains portions of Queens and Brooklyn, has not elected a Republican in over 80 years. In Nevada, Mark Amodei (R) defeated Kate Marshall (D) to fill the seat vacated when former Rep. Dean Heller (R) was appointed to replace former Sen. John Ensign (R) after the latter resigned. These victories now further strengthen the GOP majority in the House of Representatives, 242-192.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for September 16, 2011.
Representative Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin announced earlier this week that she will be running for U.S. Senate. The seat is due to be vacated by Democratic Senator Herb Kohl. In an opinion editorial in the Huffington Post, Baldwin stated "I can’t wait to take my fight to the Senate: a fight to grow our economy, protect seniors, force Wall Street to clean up its act, and bring our troops home from Afghanistan. And I can't wait to see you on the trail as we bring our campaign to every corner of Wisconsin.” The article points out that if she wins in 2012, she will be the first U.S. Senator who is openly gay. Representative Baldwin has the support of Emily’s List and is predicted to have the support of other women’s and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) organizations.
AAUW acknowledges the necessity to build the pipeline of women running for office in order to diminish the long-standing political leadership gender gap.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for September 9, 2011.
Seven-term Rep. David Wu (D-OR) announced his resignation on Tuesday, effective after the resolution of the debt ceiling problem. His announcement followed allegations of “aggressive and unwanted sexual behavior” toward an 18-year-old woman. Wu said he was stepping down to care for his children as he fights the allegations.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for July 29, 2011.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (D) won a special election this week against Tea Party Republican candidate Craig Huey in California’s 36th Congressional District. Hahn received approximately 55 percent of the vote to Huey's 45 percent. Hahn replaces Jane Harman (D-CA), who retired after nine terms.
AAUW celebrates more women running for elected office and looks forward to the day when women are no longer underrepresented as elected public officials. AAUW offers the Woman–to-Woman Voter Turnout manual as a campaign tool for women running for office.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for July 15, 2011.
Between now and the 2012 presidential election, a variety of candidates will enter and exit the race. AAUW, a nonpartisan organization, will report on these developments as it is appropriate.
New entries this week: Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R)
Still running: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Herman Cain (R-GA), former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (R), President Barack Obama (D), Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), former Minnesota Gov. Timothy Pawlenty (R), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Considering a run: Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R), former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R)
- from AAUW's Washington Update for June 24, 2011.
Female Republican representatives took to the House floor this week to begin a series of speeches titled “I am a Republican woman.” These speeches reflect the growth of a new caucus of younger women within the Republican party. Currently, the House has 29 Republican women and 64 Democratic women; the Senate has five Republican women and 12 Democratic women.
AAUW supports efforts to increase the number of female representatives in Congress. The closer we are to political gender parity, the stronger and smarter our country will be. To learn more about AAUW’s efforts to increase female representation in elected office, check out the Elect Her initiative.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for June 24, 2011.
On Tuesday, in a special election, New York Democrat Kathy Hochul won a House seat in traditionally Republican district. Some believe the upset reflects voter dissatisfaction with Republican proposals to overhaul Medicare while others speculate that this may be an omen for the 2012 elections. Of note, Hochul, a pro-choice advocate for women’s issues, has committed to making equal pay a priority.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for May 27, 2011.
Last Friday, Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) announced that he will not seek re-election in 2012. Contenders for his seat are yet unknown. Republican Tommy Thompson, former Wisconsin Governor, is reportedly considering a run but has not formally announced. Other potential candidates may include Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI). Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) of the House Budget Committee has announced he will not seek the seat. Kohl is the ninth senator and sixth Democrat to retire during this election cycle.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for May 20, 2011.
This week, two more Republican candidates announced their intention to run for president in 2012. On Wednesday, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich announced his candidacy on Twitter, followed by an appearance on Fox News that evening. This morning, on Good Morning America, Rep. Ron Paul (TX) threw his hat into the ring, marking his third run for the Oval Office. Numerous others have formed exploratory committees or are considering a bid as the 2012 election season draws nearer.
President Obama, the sole Democratic candidate for 2012, unveiled his new Chicago campaign headquarters earlier this week.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for May 14, 2011.
Following Sen. John Ensign’s (R-NV) announcement last week that he will resign from the Senate on May 3, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) has appointed Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) to fill the seat for the remainder of Ensign’s term. Sen. Ensign has been the subject of an ethics investigation over the past 20 months, which the Senate Ethics Committee says it will complete despite his departure.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for April 29, 2011.
After months of speculation, presidential hopefuls for the 2012 election are beginning to announce their candidacy. On Monday, former Massachusetts Governor and speculated Republican front-runner Mitt Romney announced he was forming a presidential exploratory committee, the precursor to a presidential campaign. Other likely candidates, from Donald Trump to Newt Gingrich, have also recently taken to the airwaves to test the waters.
On April 4, President Obama officially launched his 2012 reelection campaign. Obama released the announcement via email to his 2008 supporters and launched an update of www.barackobama.com website with a video for grassroots supporters called “It begins With Us.” The president is not likely to face a primary challenger.
Women wield considerable power in U.S. politics. For more than a century, AAUW has influenced legislative debate and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW's Voter Education campaign is brimming with a variety of resources to help you become educated about the issues and to motivate others to take action.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for April 15, 2011.