WAGG's Women Equality Day Press Conference w/ Loretta

by: kwilkinson

Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 07:37:39 PM EDT

Women Advocating Good Government recognized the first ever candidates for Lt. Gov both being women.  Photos courtesy of Jeannine LaRue, Chair-Elect of WAGG.

Myra Terry, former president of NOW NJ and founder of WAGG, introduced Ingrid Reed, saying

"We look to the first ever Lt Gov. to have real influence in matters of state and to be an effective arm of the executive office."

Ingrid Reed, Policy Analyst and New Jersey Project Director at Eagleton, talked about the importance of being at the table when redistricting happens after next years Census, mentioning

3 NJ legis. districts are won by less than 5% of the vote
8 districts are between 5 and 15%
3/4 of the 40 districts are won by more than 15% of the vote

"Women do well in competitive districts and when there are open seats."

Update by Jason: I split the diary and there are more great pictures along with the rest of the story below the fold.

Joan Wright, Exec. Dir of WAGG & Loretta:

Loretta called being Dem Lt. Gov candidate a 'wild, interesting road.'
She was mobbed by reporters after the event.  

She credited bipartisanship, reaching across the aisle to Sen. Diane Allen, in getting the Party Democracy Act passed.

She said in her very persuasive way, that if she was privileged enough to win she was going to 'define' the Lt. Gov's office.  And you know she would.

Kim Guadagno apparently had a conflict and was not in attendance, but was 'thrilled' that WAGG had chosen to acknowdedge her and Loretta's 'historic nature' of their candidacies.

Other legislators present included Assywomen Mila Jasey LD27, Elease Evans LD35 and Linda Greenstein LD14.

On receiving WAGG's endorsement, Linda Greenstein mentioned that she co-sponsored the Party Democracy Act in the Assembly and has worked hard for ethics reform.  She emphasized the importance of having the legislature be 50/50.

Linda Stender LD22 also received WAGG's endorsement but was attending her son's wedding.

Holly Gilroy, president of the Women's Political Caucus mentioned that NJ is in the top ten states nationwide for the number of women in the legislature because DiAnne Gove is taking the seat in LD9. (My diary on that here.) Of course after the retirements in January, the legislature will lose a number of women, possibly putting us back in 11th place, according to Debbie Walsh, Center for American Women and Politics at Eagleton.

Also in attendance, Deputy Mayor of Montgomery and Dem Freeholder Candidate in Somerset County, Cecilia Birge, along with WAGG board members Eser Belding and Amy Simon.  Cecilia became the first and only Asian American woman mayor in NJ in 2007.