Fresno Bee Editor Joe k... says part of Bee’s goal is to help people convene to discuss real issues. Thanks @BriannaCalix for her hard work hard work putting this together. Mi Familia Vota, League of Women Voters, National Women’s Political Caucus are co-sponsors too. Lisa Bryant
a political science professor at Fresno State will lead the discussion. “Pat Schroeder ran for Colorado office in 1972. Was a huge military area but ran on women and children issues. Won and wanted to be put on Arms Service Committee. Was told her and the other female could share
as half Members. They did and made it seem like it was perfectly normal. Were asked why a female would run?Schroeder said “I have a uterus and a brain “. Told women won’t want to Fundraise or go door to door. They actually do. Do as well as men in their aspect. 2) demographics:
Democratic and Republican women both want to run in equal numbers. But women with financial resources tend to run more than men that have lower resources. 3) Women who run for office have 46% are primary caretaker at home but not so for men running. 4)Recruitment: Political par-
-ties less likely to ask women. Men have to be asked twice before they will run. Women have to be asked 7x. So more women need to be put on list as there is a much larger rejection rate. 5)Women think they will lose on first time running whereas only 20% of men. The bigger the 
the district , ethnicity etc matter. Closer to 1.0 has better rate. Best chance in valley is Congressional District 16 and 21. Women fundraise as well as men but don’t show up in rates of holding office. Only one city council member from Fresno. Only 3 Countywide and none in
Congress. This matters as women come with a different perspective. Women tend to focus on Medicare, healthcare, children and families getting women out of domestic violence abuse. Men tend to focus on different aspects. Pat Schroeder helped pass family leave act. If a woman runs
for office tends to get other women to run too. Need training on all aspects of running. Campaign funds for child care while running. Also when meetings are scheduled don’t always work for mother’s schedule like having Supervisors meetings start at 9 am. End of Bryant’s portion.
There is a disconnect on who runs for office in the Valley. More perspectives and representation if that happens. Ashbeck has been on Clovis City Council since 2001. Hurtado elected at age 19 to Kingsburg Council. Glucoses on green space and children. Brandi orth has worked for
County for 25 years. Perea elected in 2015 and works in urban plannng. Keisha Thomas from Area 1 and works for St. Res. Question: women have to be asked seven times befor runnig. What is your experience? Perea: comes from political family so there was a perspective that she would
be next to run. It turned her off when people would ask. She got motivated when “ someone” won federal office in 2016. She made the decision herself then. She hopes to help bring up the next generation. Ashbeck: she is of another generation than Hurtado. She focused on service
more than anything. She had a vision to run for office that fit her personality. Question: do women have to have a perfect list of accomplishments before running for office. Hurtado: she was 19, no college degree and a baby. Voters just want to see what you will do for them.
She was on a commission and saw it as a way to provide service. Orth: came from a different path by working for County and she was then appointed by Supervisors. Runnng was scary but didn’t have an opponent the first time. Thomas: was asked to run for City Council first. She is
passionate for children. She didn’t want to run against Cal and so studied the school district. When Cynthia Sterling ran for Council it inspired her. Thomas took her son everywhere when campaigning. She was discouraged by men who said don’t run against a Latino lawyer. She won.
Question: how do you handle misogynistic attitudes? Thomas: you have to be knowledgeable and well prepared. Perea: was told how to dress and where her hair when running. This narrative needs to change. Use it as fuel when running. Thomas: was told to wear a dark suit and hair in
Bun in order to win. Hair has to be up said Perea. Hurtado: was told by another councilman said “ it wasn’t your time , sweetie. It will take time” She says be yourself. Question: how to wait your turn when you are not even in line? Orth: women and girls need have more confi-
dence. Men can me mediocre but women have to be more. Ashbeck: never was told to wait her turn. There is also a timing aspect. In her generation she was never told to have to wear x y z like the others on panel. Was however told by a voter that they liked her haircut.
Q: Historically women don’t have the infrastructure set up like men do. Women look at their phone contacts and see they are all low income too. Thomas: she knew she had to put her own money in order to get others. She got small donations and from building trades. Orth: Men will
go out and ask for money from whoever will give them two cents. She went to groups she was already part of like Rotary. You have to ask for money even if it is hard for you. Thomas: she went all out with office and signs. One resident said I will give you $500 if I get a t-shirt
Perea: build your network. Get creative. Honor PAC gave her $500. Latinas Lead too. Make the cold calls. Raised $50,000. Was able to fun her campaign. Hurtado: she was first to raise over $2000 in Kingsburg. You reach out to your contacts even if they raised $5. Hold them to it.
Ashbeck: Contact others networks too. She first felt don’t raise more than what the job paid which was low in Clovis Council. She got over her thought in 20 minutes. Q: Don’t take away someone’s ability to donate if you don’t think they have the money. They can donate time.
Question from audience: Schroeder came out during feminist movement that crossed party lines. Roe v Wade , Clarence Thomas, 2016. How important is a feminist movement? Infrastructure for female candidates is low in Valley. Treasurers etc. how to find? Thomas: she did whatever her
staff said. She wanted to win and it is hard to find good ones. Perea: her partner ran Soria’s campaign so she had her to help. Perea also made her own graphic arts materials. There is a lack of talent for treasurers and campaign managers. Her family helped walk too. Ashbeck: it
is a short list. Orth: they are all important positions especially treasurer. Lots of rules to abide by. Moderator: Fines can be $50,000 and you don’t want that. Bryant: national events mobilized women but may effect more statewide. Thomas: she won’t leave her current seat until
she is satisfied with how she has done. Q: the hard work to get into office may discourage other women How do you feel strong doing this? Hurtado: was told to reach out to other female electeds. They probably have gone thru the same thing. Ashbeck: if you enter from a deficit
it will be harder. Your attitude matters. Thomas: she has opposite feeling than Ashbeck. This has been a hard year. It has taken more hours and putting up with silly stuff this year. Her female colleagues have supported her. Orth: County family Gave her a lot of support. She can
Always reach out to other 58 counties for help. Bryant : labor is not distributed evenly. If someone can see something in common with you such as a female , Hmong etc they will reach out to them over their own elected. This puts more strain on that person of color etc. especially
for women. Perea: it was a woman who told her to change her hair etc. Women can be our own worse enemy. Thomas: she knew people meant well when they said that though. Perea: didn’t listen to that advice. Q: building trades supported you. How can unions and local parties do better
in helping women run? Thomas: unions were not initially in support of her but are now. Hurtado: being elected as a female of person of color in Kingsburg was hard even though 50% are Latino but those that vote were not. She needed to change who voted. They had to be convinced
And told how she could help. Perea: her age was a factor and not having 20 years in education. She did attend State Community College meetings for a year. Ashbeck: she knew some running for City Council who didn’t even know where the council chamber was located. Bryant: advice
(Sorry I had a connectivity problem/ rate limiting factor ). Here is the rest of the panel discussion: Ashbeck: be present where you are. Hurtado: her mother told her there will be others with more experience but not more passion.
Perea: 2016 showed people were ready for a fe-
Perea: 2016 showed people were ready for a fe-
-male elected. They will reach out.
Thomas : recruit and train. Recruit and train. She wishes there were more young girls here today. End of panel.
Thomas : recruit and train. Recruit and train. She wishes there were more young girls here today. End of panel.
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