Kate Marshall in Nevada Special Election

(Courtesy of equalrepresentation.org)     Subscribe in a reader

Time to turn our attention to the Special Election in NV02 on September 13th to replace Dean Heller, who was appointed to the Senate. State Treasurer Kate Marshall won the Democratic Party's nomination on 6/25 -- that's great, but once again it was a closed process. She won the party's central committee vote 117-5. At least the process was more transparent than what came down in Queens to pick candidates to replace Anthony Weiner for NY09. That election will take place same day, with no women on the ballot.

So far, women have won both special elections in 2011 - and have increased their seats +1, rolling back to 11/08 at 73 or 16.8%

Meanwhile, redistricting is taking place - and the results will have dramatic effect on the 2012 elections. In most cases legislatures are in control, with Republicans holding majorities in 26 states. Some states -- like CA, AZ and NJ - have state redistricting commissions. Details HERE.

(If you have ever worked on a presidential campaign, you know that 50 states have 50 separate processes used to put candidates on primary ballots - most, but not all, controlled by the Dems and GOPers. Complicated, confusing, mostly out of public view, and sometimes with critical consequences.)

Candidates are already getting in position to run for new districts or old changed districts or whatever districts. In Orange county, the former, popular Orlando Chief of Police Val Demings recently stepped up to challenge Rep. Dan Webster in FL08. But her race may change to an "open seat" after the districts are redrawn. Nonetheless, she already has some heavyweights Dems behind her.

More women need to jump into "open seat" races sooner rather than later. You cannot win unless you play the game...or if you wait too long to start playing. The boys have been lining up for a long time!

Then the rest of us need to jump in right along with those women candidates to help them win. There are no freebies -- you get what you pay for!

Tweet