Women's March Statement on Historic Primary Wins in Minnesota, Vermont, and Connecticut

Washington, D.C. - In response to historic wins by Ilham Omar, who could be one of two Muslim women going to Congress for the first time ever, Christine Hallquist, who won her primary for governor and will be the first transgender gubernatorial nominee for a major party in Vermont’s history, and Jahana Hayes, who could be the first Black woman elected to Congress to represent Connecticut and the first Black woman to represent a New England state in Congress, Women’s March released this statement:

“Last night, we watched women all over the country win big in their elections, from Christine Hallquist in Vermont to Ilhan Omar in Minnesota to Jahana Hayes in Connecticut. They follow historic elections for Indigenous women like Deb Haaland in New Mexico and Sharice Davids in Kansas, and statewide wins for Black women, including Stacey Abrams in Georgia, and Deidre DeJear in Iowa.

“For years, establishment forces sought to keep candidates like Stacey, Deidre, Illhan, Jahana, Christine, Deb and Sharice out of elections. Women are showing us that they have had enough.

“There’s a #WomensWave sweeping across America. In cities and towns large and small, we are taking action, organizing our communities while engaging new voters, running for office and bringing folding chairs to ensure we have a seat at the table. It’s time for the establishment to take a cue from women making history, inspiring new voters to engage in the electoral process and bringing people together to reject Donald Trump’s white supremacist agenda.

“Winning in November means throwing in our time, sweat and money behind the wave of women all the way to the ballot box, and beyond. The path to winning has never been more clear -- and spoiler alert, that path is not populated with white male candidates. We are putting the world on notice -- ignore diverse women candidates at your own risk. And to those running to uphold a white supremacist, misogynist agenda: we are coming for you.”