ATLANTA – Georgia WIN List celebrates the eve of International Women’s Day Thursday March 7 with the announcement of six 2024 early candidate endorsements, a reception and panel discussion and the beginning of a year-long training program for future candidates.
Georgia WIN List is the state’s leading Political Action Committee for recruiting, training and electing and re-electing women who are committed to the restoration of reproductive freedom. The group has helped elect more than 90 women to the Georgia General Assembly during its 24-year history, with 49 of them currently serving.
During the mid-day press conference on the Capitol’s South Steps, the group announced endorsements for six 2024 candidates, four of whom hope to FLIP seats currently held by Republicans. During the press conference, WIN List also re-affirmed support for 47 currently serving endorsed women who are seeking re-election.
The six newly endorsed candidates are:
- Kenya Wicks is running for SD 34 after Senator Valencia Seay announced her retirement. Kenya served as chief of staff for Senator Seay in 2023 following a 30-year Army career where she retired as a Major. She has been Vice Chair of the Fayette County Democrats and a CASA volunteer.
- Laura Murvartian hopes to FLIP HD 48, a highly competitive Gwinnett and Fulton County seat currently represented by Republican Scott Hilton. A businesswoman, she was listed as one of the 50 most influential in Georgia’s Hispanic Community and is a former board chair of GALEO.
- Debra Shigley hopes to FLIP HD 47 by defeating the General Assembly’s highest-ranking Republican woman Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones. An attorney, she is the mother of five public school students and believes her pro-choice and pro-public education platform will resonate with suburban women.
- Susie Greenberg hopes to FLIP HD 53 by defeating Republican Deborah Silcox in a district which is the number one target for the House Democratic Caucus. An attorney, Susie has served on the board of PPSE and was honored by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women as a “SHERO” in 2023.
- Michelle Kang hopes to FLIP HD 99 by defeating Republican Matt Reeves in a majority minority Gwinnett County district which includes Suwanee, Duluth and Sugar Hill. She is Korean American and has a long record of grassroots activism which is reflected by the fact her campaign website offers five language options.
- Tangie Herring is running for HD 145, one of five newly created majority Black districts. The district includes south Macon and portions of Monroe County. A career classroom teacher and small business owner, she has been an advocate for neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing in historic Macon.
Once qualifying closes, WIN List will review the lists of Democratic women candidates to determine which candidates will receive Primary or General Election endorsements following a process which includes surveys and interviews with WIN List board members.
Throughout the day, more than 45 women who are members of the 2024 WIN Leadership Academy class will be observing House and Senate debates, meeting with currently serving legislators and watching afternoon committee hearings as their introduction to what it would be like to serve in the General Assembly.
The evening reception at the Georgia Freight Depot features a panel discussion focused on “WINning Women for Turbulent Times.” Panelists for the discussion include SD 41 The Rev. Senator Kim Jackson and HD 42 Rep. Teri Anulewicz as well as newly endorsed candidates Susie Greenberg and Tangie Herring.
Georgia currently has 81 women legislators – the highest number in state history. “Following the overturn of Roe v Wade, 2024 is the first time women qualify for legislative seats knowing the restoration of reproductive freedom and medical autonomy is truly on the ballot,” said Melita Easters, WIN List executive Director and Founding Chair. “Women are qualifying to run in the most Ruby Red districts of Georgia because they know women want the opportunity this election cycle to vote for who will work to restore medical autonomy for our daughters and grand-daughters.
# # #
