RNC Launches "14 in '14" Women's Initiative

WASHINGTON –  Today the RNC launched a new effort called “14 in ‘14” to engage women in the key 21-40 age demographic. Co-Chairman Sharon Day joined Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito and West Virginia Delegate Amanda Pasdon in Charleston, West Virginia, this morning to kick off the program.
 
“14 in ‘14” is about mobilizing volunteers to engage women in the 14 weeks leading up to the 2014 election. Efforts will be concentrated in 25 key counties with a large number of independent and “swing” women voters. These counties are expected to have an important impact on targeted Senate, Congressional and gubernatorial races.
 
The program’s focus is on building relationships and a strong network of messengers for the Republican Party. The RNC is recruiting and training women who are committing 30 minutes a week for the 14 weeks leading up to the November election to help recruit other women, identify voters, support other Get Out The Vote efforts, and be Republican messengers in their communities.
 
This is in addition to the RNC’s other efforts for engaging and mobilizing women such as precinct captain recruitment, candidate and volunteer training, staff recruitment, the Rising Stars program, and mentorship and networking events.
 
“I’m excited about 14 in ’14, and the opportunities this will create to connect more women with the Republican Party,” said RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day. “The 2014 elections are rapidly approaching, and it is important to put in place new programs to increase awareness and get-out-the-vote efforts. I look forward to building a strong network of Republican women to help in the upcoming election.”

“I would not have been elected if it were not for my buddies. Those are the engaged women that were friends and are still friends of mine who said, ‘Shelley we want to see you succeed.’ I came to realize the power that women have not just in their own households, but across all stretches of involvement,” Capito said. “What do women want? You want more time and flexibility, and a half hour can easily be managed.  If more women, regardless of your party affiliation, feel that we are listening and that you can trust us as a party and that we are anxious to move forward policies that are going to meet the challenges that you have every day, I think that is the important thing of this great kick-off day.”

The first round of target states and counties include:

Arkansas (Pulaski)
Florida (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Leon, Pinellas)
Georgia (Cobb, Gwinnett)
Louisiana (East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Orleans)
Michigan (Oakland, Wayne)
Montana (Yellowstone)
North Carolina (Mecklenberg, Wake)
Ohio (Cuyahoga, Lake, Mahoning)
Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery)
West Virginia (Kanawha, Cabell)
 
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