Business Wire, October 8, 2004

Term Limits Force out Two-Thirds of California’s Current Roster of Women Legislators by 2006 — 99% by 2008

SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 8, 2004– Ask Bettina Duval. As founder of THE CALIFORNIA LIST she’s leading the charge to reverse the loss and build a pipeline of new women candidates. Ms. Duval is available to provide a much-needed perspective on election “horse races” including on- and off-air interviews, analysis, commentary and background. Just a few election story/commentary ideas:

  • Which has more women in elected office: Turkmenistan or California? The U.S. has fallen from 49 in 2002 to a ranking of 58 out of 183 in terms of women in elected office among the industrialized nations. How does California rank? Ask Bettina.
  • Instead of girlie men — does California want real women? Domestic violence laws, contraception coverage, paid family leave are among the ways Californians have benefited from women lawmakers.
  • Are California voters interested in taking women off the Endangered Species List? Of the current 36 women legislators (25 Assembly; 11 Senate) 7 are termed out in 2004; 16 in 2006 and another 11 in 2008.
  • Term limits: friend or foe of full representation? Ask Bettina.
  • General election trends: how do California women vote (including ethnic breakdowns) and how are political campaigns dealing with issues important to women? Ask Bettina.

Ms. Duval brings 20 years of experience in California grassroots politics — from Berkeley to Los Angeles and the cities and towns in between. Background highlights include EMILY’s List representative for Southern California, membership chair of the Women’s Political Committee, board member of the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club, and organizer for the California Women Vote luncheon at the 2000 Democratic Convention.

Ask Bettina Duval. She’s got the answers and delivery that will give your story added substance and spark. Call her at 310-458-9355. Or email her at bduval@californialist.org.