Intense and intentional training is helping Democratic women gain state lawmaking seats

Kimberly Pope Adams was an auditor working in Virginia when she got a call from a Democratic state Senator who had heard Adams was interested in running for office.

Sen. Danica Roem encouraged Adams to attend a six-month training program with the state's chapter of Emerge, a national group focusing on preparing Democratic women to run for office. Adams said the training was detailed, covering campaign finance, communications, media and overall strategy.