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Participants learned about all aspects of running a
campaign, including public speaking, campaign strategy,
media/messaging and fundraising. "I learned so much in
that program, specifically about how underrepresented
women are in government in the United States. I saw a
study recently stating that we rank 75th in the world as
far as women's representation in government." Spurred
by these statistics, Jaffer thought, "If I think more women
need to be in politics, I should just be one of those women.
I should be the example instead of expecting someone else
to do it."
In 2016, she campaigned for Peter Jacob, who was running
for Congress in her district. Someone mentioned to Jaffer
that in her township, there was no Democrat running and
that the Republican incumbents were running unopposed.
"Because I had the Emerge training, I had the confidence
to run," she said. "I don't believe in uncontested elections.
I thought, 'There should be someone running. It might as
well be me.'" Jaffer ran as a write-in candidate but lost. "I
had a feeling that it would be very hard; write-in campaigns
are so difficult."
" If I think more
women need to
be in politics, I
should just be one
of those women,
I should be the
example instead of
expecting someone
else to do it."
Sadaf Jaffer with Somerset
County Freeholder Shanel
Robinson on the campaign
trail. Robinson is the first
African-American elected
to lead the county.
SADAF JAFFER '01 TAKING ACTION
