Bipartisan group forms Women's Political Caucus
Bipartisan group works toward supporting women in politics
BY LORI ANNE OLIWA
Correspondent

Jennifer Beck

The 2008 Presidential election is not the only place where women are making their mark in politics.

A Monmouth County Chapter of the Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey (MCWPC) has recently been formed with the goal of supporting female candidates of any political party in a bipartisan effort to boost the involvement of women in politics.

"In terms of a power base," said Lori Anne Oliwa, a founder of the caucus, "if only people would realize how strong women are and could be."

The support from the caucus comes in the form of financial support at the state and county levels, and the Democratic and Republican task forces within the caucus often support candidates of their parties by offering time and energy as well.

Among the members of the Monmouth County chapter are Freeholder Amy Handlin, state Sen. Ellen Karcher and Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck.

Beck is currently vying for the Republican nomination to run against Karcher, a Democrat, in the 12th Legislative District Senate race.

Ellen Karcher

Oliwa, a Republican, said party lines do not matter within the caucus.

"People are free to align themselves," she said. "They are both terrific women."

The caucus sponsors two important programs, according to Oliwa, including "Ready to Run," a training session for women on how to run for political office.

The other is a program to support the appointments of women to political boards and committees.

"There are hundreds and hundreds of boards and committees throughout New Jersey," Oliwa said. "We want to encourage women to submit their names for appointment to them."

With one of the first presidential campaigns to prominently feature a woman, Sen. Hillary Clinton (NY-D), underway for 2008, Oliwa said that now is the time for women to step up.

"One should never underestimate the power of women working in unison," she said. "We're really living in an interesting time, and women are on the cusp of something wonderful now.

"I think 2008 is going to be a landmark year. We have a female Speaker of the House, a female Presidential contender, and here in Monmouth County, we have, for the first time in history, three women on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Some counties don't have any women involved."

Oliwa said that contrary to popular belief, the caucus shows that members of different political parties can work well in unison.

"We have Republicans, Democrats and Independents working side by side with common goals," she said.

The caucus, said Oliwa, does not get involved in many political issues, aside from those that directly affect women, such as reproductive rights.

"The caucus is pro-choice," she said. "I am a pro-choice Republican."

According to Oliwa, New Jersey Republicans are largely moderates.

"Down in Texas," she quipped, "where the Republican Party is far more to the right, they probably consider the Republicans in New Jersey to be more like Democrats."

Oliwa said that it has been a challenge for the group to get more Republicans involved, and that the Monmouth County chapter membership is probably split 90 percent-10 percent, in favor of Democrats.

"I've mentioned the organization to a lot of Republican women," Oliwa said, "but because of the pro-choice agenda, they immediately get discouraged. This organization works to benefit women and getting more women involved in the political arena."

Oliwa said that Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-12) is a member of the caucus, and that men are also encouraged to join.

"Men can join," she said, "and we absolutely want them to. There are several male state legislators and they actively support us."

Oliwa said the caucus holds an annual "Good Guys" dinner, at which men are honored who have worked to support legislation that supports women.

She said the Monmouth County chapter of the caucus is in need of members, and that any woman or man interested in supporting women in politics, should call Oliwa at (732) 757-7443 or visit www.WPCNJ.org, the national caucus Web site.

Annual membership is $70, and provides membership to the county, state and national Women's Political Caucuses.