Woman of the Year nominations are now open
Top Performing 2022 Republican Women Congressional Candidates
Elisha Krauss does The SLiP Q & A
It’s a beautiful Fall morning here in Greenville, SC. I just watched the passenger Amtrak train roll through (where do you think they are off to?) and there’s a crisp sting in the air as I huddle in my robe and sip on my espresso––third espresso shot––it takes a while to kick in nowadays.
I’m not short of thankfulness this year, it’s been a struggle and I feel I finally have my head above water to assess the situation retroactively versus firing off in survival mode. I also know that most people would relate to my experience of feeling that way sometime over the past 21 months. Aside from the cliched list of thanks, which I have and is long, I am very thankful for your support and readership of the SLiP and the greater Not Your Average Feminist podcast community. You all rock and have helped, both Amanda and I, feel a sense of belonging in an otherwise hostile world that views conservative women as an anthropomorphic anomaly. We know you’re there and we are here to support you.
With that we want to hear from you about the women that have inspired you, comforted you, and kept you moving in 2021. Please nominate your Woman of The Year here.
Top Performing Congressional Candidates Ahead of 2022
As promised, we are continuing the series on electing conservative women to office. If you missed our first installment on the femme five financiers in funding and endorsing Republican hopefuls to the Halls of Congress, you can access that here. It’s a good baseline so you understand the money players when it comes to securing the support to make it through a Republican primary.
We’ve narrowed the field down to 24 women that we are watching closely as their primaries shape up for the 2022 election cycle. A couple of things that stand out to us right away––many of these women didn’t let losing in 2020 stop them from another run. If you are thinking about running for public office look to these women’s campaigns as a guide. It takes time to build up a fundraising program, name ID, and honestly the right political environment to catapult you to victory. Don’t give up. Many of these women are future Members of Congress despite an earlier loss.
Secondly, and for the back of the room, conservative women are not a monolith. There’s a cornucopia of political and ideological views amongst these women and we are proud of the diversity of viewpoints and life experiences these ladies can bring to Congress.
GOP Women Challengers with the Biggest Posse & Bank Accounts
* Denotes multiple Republican women in the primary
Lisa Scheller (PA-7)
This is Lisa’s second run for this seat and she is absolutely crushing it. She is the clear frontrunner in the primary and on track to close the fundraising gap between her and the Democrat incumbent, Susan Wild. Described as a trailblazer in the world of business and a successful reformer in public service, she embraces both roles with a sense of humanity and purpose. Wooo, we are #TeamLisa!
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Occupation: Manufacturing executive, nonprofit founder of Hope & Coffee, mom-of-two
Raised through Q3: $1,165,616.10
Endorsed by: VIEW PAC, Winning 4 Women PAC, EPAC, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Congresswoman Carol Miller
Website: https://lisaschellerpa.com/
Esther Joy King (IL-17)
This is Esther’s second run for this seat and with the recent retirement of Democratic incumbent, Cheri Bustos, Esther is set to sweep this seat up in 2022. What impresses us the most about her is her passion about democracy and human rights and how that shines through in her career and volunteerism. She’s an absolute joy to watch on the trail and we hope you check her out.
Hometown: East Moline, IL
Occupation: Captain, Army Reservist, Real Estate Attorney, aid worker
Raised through Q3: $980,614.96
Endorsed by: VIEW PAC, EPAC, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Congresswoman Carol Miller
Website: https://estherforcongress.com/
Monica De La Cruz Hernandez (TX-15)
This is Monica’s second run for this seat and she is the talk of the town. With the retirement of another Member in a neighboring congressional district, the current Democrat incumbent for Texas’s district 15, Vicente Gonzalez, is running for that more blue district leaving this seat wide open for a Republican win. Monica is facing a primary challenge and for such a coveted open congressional district has to focus on the race in front of her before celebrating too soon. But with her knowledge of the district and track record of battling it out in tough elections, our money is on her.
Hometown: Edinburg, TX
Occupation: Insurance agent, small business owner, mom-of-two
Raised through Q3: $980,432.73
Endorsed by: VIEW PAC, EPAC, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Congresswoman Debbie Lisko, Congresswoman Yvette Harrell, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
Website: https://www.monicaforcongress.us/
Amanda Adkins (KS-3)
This is Amanda’s second run for this seat and with no other primary challengers announced at this time, the presumed Republican nominee to face-off against Democrat incumbent, Sharice Davids, once again. Amanda has been active in the Kansas GOP for 25 years, including holding the post as chairman of the Kansas Republican Party earlier in her career. Can she overcome the 10 point loss from last cycle? We bet yes, and think she’s the right woman for the job. Don’t sleep on this one.
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Occupation: Healthcare and IT executive, founder of Systems of Care Initiative
Raised through Q3: $892,898.48
Endorsed by: VIEW PAC, EPAC, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Website: https://www.amandaadkins.com/
Jennifer Kiggans (VA-2)
Jen is a current Virginia State Senator and was tapped to challenge Democrat incumbent, Elaine Luria, for Congress––in what following Virginia’s surprise red wave in 2021 is shaping up to be one of the biggest congressional battlegrounds in the country. While she has the money advantage in her primary so far, she’s got two tough races ahead of her. If you are thinking about donating to candidates this cycle, this is a race where your dollar will make a big difference.
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Occupation: Navy veteran, nurse practitioner, state senator, mom-of-four
Raised through Q3: $409,223.70
Endorsed by: VIEW PAC, EPAC, Maggie’s List
Website: https://jenforcongress.com/
April Becker (NV-3)
This is April’s first run for U.S. Congress. She previously ran for Nevada State Senate in 2020 and lost by a heart-wrenching 631 votes. She’s not giving up that easily though and has the backing of some of Nevada’s top conservative power players like Dean Heller, Congressman Amodei, the Laxalts, and Councilwoman Victoria Seaman. April has the money advantage against her primary opponents but has a steep climb to catch up to incumbent Democrat, Susie Lee. From what we’ve seen, April is a fighter and isn’t going to let up. Definitely check her out.
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Occupation: Attorney, small business owner, mom-of-three
Raised through Q3: $645,411.90
Endorsed by: EPAC, Maggie’s List
Website: https://voteaprilbecker.com/
Tanya Wheeless (AZ-9)
Tanya is a fresh face and a breath of fresh air that we are happy to see in the race for Arizona’s 9th CD. She has to make it through a crowded Republican primary field in order to face off against Democrat incumbent, Greg Stanton. This will be a tough race no matter how you slice it, but Tanya has the right tone, the right message, dare we say the right stuff to flip this blue district red?! Please check her out and consider donating to help her campaign.
Hometown: Tempe, AZ
Occupation: lawyer, sports executive, small business owner, mom-of-three
Raised through Q3: $207,713.00
Endorsed by: VIEW PAC
Website: https://tanyaforarizona.com/
Jeanine Lawson (VA-10)*
Jeanine is running in perhaps the most challenging congressional district for Republicans to recapture––and one that many have given up on cycles ago. But if we’ve learned anything from the 2021 Virginia elections, northern Virginia counties are fed up with the status quo and willing to give Republican candidates a shot. Jeanie is in a crowded primary and up against a well-funded Democrat incumbent, Jennifer Wexton. This district is nestled in the suburbs of Washington, DC, is known for its key suburban woman constituency, and always has outsized attention from the national media (as many political elites reside there.) Jeanine is known for bringing people together through her community work rather than a record of division and deeply partisan politics. Could she bring back the elusive 10th district for the Republicans this cycle? God, we hope so.
Hometown: Prince William County
Occupation: Board of County Supervisors, transportation executive, mom-of-two
Raised through Q3: $330,848.36
Endorsed by: EPAC
Website: https://www.jeaninelawson.com/
Karoline Leavitt (NH-1)*
Karoline has been on the frontlines of the biggest partisan fights in Washington, DC as the spokesperson for Rep. Elise Stefanik on Capitol Hill and in the press shop at the White House for President Donald Trump. In an era where you need to have thick skin and a steel spine to put yourself out there for public scrutiny, you can check that off her list. Karoline is in a very crowded and well-funded primary race. While she is facing off against another impressive Republican woman, she has the money and endorsement advantage at this point. We’re watching this race closely to see where support builds and if key grassroots coalitions decide to put their weight behind one candidate.
Hometown: Rockingham County
Occupation: Former White House Aid, Former Congressional Aid, Communications specialist
Raised through Q3: $333,114.65
Endorsed by: EPAC
Website: https://www.karolineforcongress.com/
Tina Ramirez (VA-7)*
This is Tina’s second run for this seat and she’s got a game plan to win straight out of the gate. She lost to Nick Freitas in the 2020 Republican nominating convention (Virginia is a weird place), but regardless of nominating methods come this Spring she’s ready for a fight. Good thing too, because as of earlier this week (November 17th, 2021) Amanda Chase, of “Trump in Heels” notoriety, entered the race. As we look into our crystal ball we see a lot of ink being spilled over this primary and general election coverage. It’s going to be wild. If you are looking for a race where you’ll have the biggest bang for your buck in the primary––look no further.
Hometown: Richmond
Occupation: Foreign policy advisor, non-profit executive, religious liberty advocate, mom-of-one
Raised through Q3: $341,833.44
Endorsed by: Maggie’s List
Website: https://tinaramirez.com/
Target Races with the Most GOP Women Challengers in the Race
GA-6
FL-13
NH-1
Outstanding Women on Our Fundraising & Endorsement Watch List
In alphabetical order:
The SLiP Q & A with Elisha Krauss!
This week's Q & A features Elisha Krauss! You probably know her already - if not through the podcast she's co-hosted called Ladybrains, then maybe through her work with the Washington Examiner, the Daily Wire, her radio show, or her many public appearances and speeches (P.S. you can book her through the Young America's Foundation!). Regardless of how you know her, she's one of the smartest, fiercest, and most outspoken conservative women out there. We are SO stoked to have her in The SLiP!
1. What does feminism mean to you, and do you consider yourself a feminist?
I think that the political version of feminism has been corrupted by victim mentality and identity politics that says you must think a specific way in order to be a part of their club. I truly believe in real feminism and would call myself a real feminist because to me that means accepting and recognizing the beauty in the differences between men and women. And instead of fighting those embracing them and how when we work together, as equals, we can all win.
2. There's a record number of Republican women in Congress right now and yet their numbers still pale in comparison to the number of female Democrats in office. As free-market conservatives, we abhor identity politics, and yet even we are frustrated by this disparity. Do you view this as a problem that needs fixing? And if so, how do we go about doing it?
I’ve been saying privately for a while now, and kinda was like “screw it. I’ll say the quiet part out loud I guess” earlier this year — that the Democrats have long used women as a token group. And the GOP hasn’t utilized us at all.
Yes, it’s obviously a problem that needs fixing. And I’d encourage and engage the GOP, NRCC, SRCC and other groups to engage and find out why Republican women aren’t running. Make sure we’re picking the best candidate. Not based on sex. But based on knowledge, values, principles, experience and the needs of their constituents.
3. We've heard you talk before about how you believe your state of California is worth fighting for. Do you have any tips for our readers who, like you, live in very blue areas but want to change the trajectory of their communities and states - even when it seems like a hopeless endeavor?
Engage. Do not comply. Do not be complacent. Find a handful of people around you who agree. Maybe y’all can’t agree on everything. But you can agree on, oh say… our kids are not okay and deserve to have in person and unmasked education whether they’re vaxxed or not. You can probably agree on businesses not being regulated and punished by the government. Or something. Start local. Speak up. You’re not alone.
4. After Republican Glenn Youngkin won the Virginia gubernatorial race, the left (once again) called out white women for aiding and abetting systemic racism by voting republican. What do you say to critics who can't comprehend how you can be a conservative AND a woman?
Kinda funny that liberal women went from being “white allies “ to being what helped Glenn win. Seems like the left has underestimated how they have told liberal women to not listen to old white dudes and they listened! Good for them.
I’d say that I am a real woman because I believe in independent thought and the ability I have to make my own decisions. Isn’t that what they want women to do?
5. Can you share with our readers one pivotal moment from your career, and what you learned from it?
I think the best advice my mama always gave me was to treat everyone the same. Janitor, mail man, celeb, politician. One time a VIP saw me take care of their kid, who I didn’t even know they were this person’s kid, with just being a normal nice person. That guy, to this day, is still one of my greatest professional advocates. Taking a moment to help a kid has affected me positively almost 18 years later. Just be nice. It goes far.
…Now for a few fun ones!
6. Go-to Starbucks order?
Okay, I’m sorry. My husband has created a coffee snob. We do light roast hario pour over every day at the Krauss Haus. I prefer a Caramel Ice Blended from Coffee Bean… it’s an LA thing I guess. But a go to at any other coffee shop like Starbucks would be a dirty chai latte.
7. TV show you could rewatch over and over?
Ohhhhh. Good one. Parks and Rec. Also, I love Lucy. Just so good.
8. Pick 3 people dead or alive that you'd love to grab lunch with:
- Britney Spears. Obvi.
- Queen Elizabeth, but only if we’re also having her signature cocktails with the lunch.
- Margaret Thatcher - I mean. Allllllllll the professional life advice and just like… what a cool badass.
Got any tips or topics you want us to dig into more? Know someone that you would like to be featured in our next Q&A or on the podcast? Shoot us an email at hello@nyafpod.com.
Until next time. LYLS,
-Sarah