Endorsement Process

Candidate endorsements are the core of our mission and an obligation our Board takes seriously. Georgia’s WIN List is often one of the first organizations to announce endorsements after the qualifying period ends. Because the endorsement means money from WIN List and the women who comprise our donor network, an endorsement is not awarded lightly. Often, other groups follow the WIN List lead in making their own endorsements because we are respected for our rigorous process.

While the process for receiving a Georgia’s WIN List endorsement requires more documents than other groups, the endorsement comes with many benefits:

• Financial contributions
• Promotion through the WIN List email newsletter
• Promotion through social media
• Promotion during events
• Campaign volunteers through our WIN Leadership Academy program
• Technical assistance

WIN List endorsed candidates are also welcomed into our large community of women who include but are not limited to past endorsees, current legislators, retired legislators, community leaders, graduates of WIN Leadership Academy, and an extensive list of WIN List supporters. We call this community our “WIN Sisterhood.” The WIN Sisterhood offers mutual support and encouragement, friendly faces on the campaign trail, fundraising partnerships, mentorships, and much more.

Women seeking a Georgia’s WIN List Endorsement submit the following items:

• Resume
• Headshot
• Endorsement application
• Executive summary of the campaign plan
• Executive summary of the fundraising plan
• Campaign finance/budget plan
• Pledge of support for reproductive freedom
• Pledge to support Georgia’s WIN List

Based on these documents, a review of past democratic performance (DPI) in the district, shifting district demographics and other factors, the WIN List candidate committee selects candidates who merit interviews for further consideration. No candidate is endorsed without an in-person interview. The WIN List board votes on endorsement recommendations as the final step of the process.

Generally, WIN List does not endorse in races where there is a sitting Democratic incumbent – male or female – who is a strong champion of reproductive freedom. Nor does WIN List feel compelled to make an endorsement just because a woman is in a particular contest. When a currently-serving endorsed woman decides to retire or seek another office, we as women lose ground when she is not replaced by another woman. WIN List encourages a culture where current legislators and “sister” groups actively recruit women to replace women who announce plans to retire or seek another office.