What We Do

WE HAVE A WINNING STRATEGY!
Arizona List identifies races in which a progressive woman Democrat can win, recruits potential candidates, and helps candidates throughout their campaign by providing the resources they need to organize, fund raise, and communicate their message for a victorious campaign. Arizona List is the only political resource dedicated solely to helping elect Democratic pro-choice women in Arizona.

THE POWER OF WOMEN!
We believe in the power of women as candidates, as contributors, as campaign professionals, and as voters to bring about great change in our country. When women are involved in the political process, our democracy is truly representative. When women make policy, the needs of women and families are not ignored. When women vote, Democrats who share values and priorities win! In five years, we had 30 women win in 40 elections as Mayors, City Councilwomen, County Supervisors, and State Representatives.

ARIZONA WOMEN HAVE LOST REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM!
With a more conservative Republican majority in the legislature, Arizona saw a reappearance of previously vetoed anti-choice bills. They passed and were signed into law. It is more important than ever to get more qualified pro-choice Democratic women into the Arizona Legislature to reverse these bills.

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
When our financial resources are pooled, we become a much more significant player with greater influence to help our women win elections all over the state. More women choose to run when they have solid financial support. Your time volunteering on key races makes a difference. The women you help elect to loval and state office today will be ready to run and win in the new Congressional districts in 2012!

Frequently Asked Questions about Arizona List

Q: Why is Arizona List important?
A: Arizona List is necessary because we want to get more talented, qualified women elected to office. We believe that electing a critical mass of women to public office will be a powerful tool in creating social change. When a critical mass of women is present — whether in a neighborhood meeting, a corporate boardroom or a senate committee — the discussion at the table changes. (1)

Q: Does having women in elected office really change anything?
A: Women bring distinctive perspectives and priorities to leadership. Research confirms that both Republican and Democratic women are more likely than their male counterparts to initiate and fight for legislation to champion social justice, protect the environment, advocate for families, and promote nonviolent conflict resolution. (1)

Q: Why women only?
A: While there are some great men in office and strong male candidates to support every election, 84% of our representatives are men. Research shows that women don’t have the resources available to men. The purpose of Arizona List is to find, train and support the most qualified women candidates.

While many male politicians share our progressive values, EMILY’s List has conducted research and found the following in making the case for electing more women to every level of office:

• Democratic women have an average 92.5 percent approval rating from the League of Conservation Voters for 2007; Democratic men, 79.6 percent.
• The Service Employees International Union 2006 scorecard gives Democratic women an average 92.9 percent approval rating; Democratic men, 85.8 percent.
• In 2006 Democratic women had a 98.8 percent average score with Planned Parenthood; Democratic men, 77.4 percent.

“These numbers tell a story,” says Ellen Malcolm of EMILY’s List. “If we want to rebuild a progressive America, we need more women in office.” (2)

Q: Why do women need our help?
A: The challenge for women is not leadership, but overcoming voters’ initial doubts in order to win the chance to lead in the first place. (1)

Arizona List is fighting to help eliminate the four chronic roadblocks for women candidates.*

1) Double standards are still alive and well. Men are able to win over voters with a combination of personality and job performance, while women must win over voters in each separate category. Men are presumed to be strong enough and tough enough for the job, but voters draw a distinction between a woman’s strength and her toughness. Women bear the burden of having to proving themselves on both.

2) Access to financial circles is still limited. Access to financial networks is still limited for female candidates. Women often start to develop these networks too late, especially among core constituencies.

3) Greater mastery of facts and figures required. Women must demonstrate more expertise than men on issues associated with toughness and finances — immigration, taxes, budgets and attracting jobs.

4) Closer scrutiny of public appearance persists. Media coverage of women’s dress, hair, weight and style persists in ways rarely applied to men. An authentic female candidate is “herself,” but appropriate for the occasion.

Q: Why are you pro-choice?
A: We believe a women’s right to make medical decisions regarding her body is a fundamental human right. We strongly believe that women should be able to make their own choices about important life decisions. This means safeguarding those choices and educating women about their options. We also believe women should have access to birth control, emergency contraception, comprehensive sex education, the HPV vaccine, end-of-life decisions and stem cell research. Support for safe, legal abortions has been consistent for three decades. Being pro-choice is usually an indication that a candidate is progressive on other issues as well.

Q: How do you decide who to endorse?
A: Our endorsement committee is a group of very knowledgeable people from across the state, lead by our political director. We evaluate candidate’s answers to our questionnaires and conduct interviews with candidates and with other professionals in potential candidates’ communities. We are looking for viable candidates in targeted districts who are committed to raising money, running professional campaigns and winning. We monitor their progress, offer ongoing advice and help them find volunteers.

Q: What does our endorsement mean?
A: Arizona List is creating a network of women supporting women across the state. Our endorsement means we believe a candidate is worth supporting, either with time or money.

(1) Reprinted with permission from The Barbara Lee Family Foundation

(2) EMILY’s List