Morris County Women Emerge

Emerge New Jersey, the premier political training organization for Democratic women in the state, kicked off its 2016 Political Training Program last month. During the program, Democratic women learn the nuts and bolts of running a successful political campaign. This year’s class is Emerge New Jersey’s largest class to date, of 20 Democratic women who were selected from throughout the state. Included in the new class are Heather Champagne and Emily Kullmann of Morris County.

Champagne is a first-time Democratic candidate who campaigned for Roxbury Town Council during the 2015 election cycle. She has 20 years of experience in the legal profession which has honed her decision making, time management and interpersonal skills. She also is the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president of her daughter’s school and volunteers her time to several charitable causes.

“I chose to apply to the Emerge New Jersey Program to connect and network with likeminded women with similar interests and goals,” said Champagne. “I look forward to learning new approaches to becoming a more effective leader and enhance my skills as an effective communicator, which will undoubtedly help me succeed in a future election.”

Kullmann is a first-time Democratic candidate who campaigned for mayor in the township of Rockaway during the 2015 election cycle. Kullmann ran for office because the ballot always seemed to be empty for the Democrats in her town. Through the Emerge program, Kullmann hopes to acquire the skills to be an effective candidate and become an elected official. ”As a student of life around Rockaway Township, I feel passionate about what happens here. I see a total lack of transparency and diversity. I’m tired of living like this -- hoping someone will run for office that feels like I do,” said Kullmann. “I want to be the change for Democrats and women. I hope to gain the skills to run for office through Emerge New Jersey and become the change Rockaway Township needs.”

The following women were also accepted into Emerge New Jersey’s 2016 program: M. Isabel Alarcon, Hudson County; Marie Battist-Celestin, Cumberland County; Aerielle Belk, Camden County; Rebecca Cain, Morris County; Colleen Curren, Camden County; Marie Marthelle Guervil, Union County; Tomecca (Mecca) Keyes, Essex County; Nidhi Makhija, Somerset County; Dana Murray, Essex County; Cristina Pinzon, Union County; Lorna Phillipson, Monmouth County; Damaris Ramirez, Middlesex County; Connie Sanchez, Union County; Maisha Scudder, Atlantic County; Stephanie Smith, Essex County; Bibi Taylor, Essex County; Dahlia Vertreese, Union County; and Sharronda Wheeler, Essex County.