What Is WUFPAC?

WUFPAC is a multi-partisan political action committee that supports women under the age of 40 running for federal and statewide office.

Why was WUFPAC created?

In January 1999, a group of young women, representing diverse political and geographic backgrounds, gathered together in Washington, D.C. to discuss the role of young women in politics.  Recognizing that political capital is built by political tenure, and frustrated by the low percentage of women currently holding political office, they created WUFPAC to support the efforts of young women running for Congress and statewide offices.  WUFPAC has been active in political cycles since 2002.

When was WUFPAC formed?

WUFPAC was incorporated as a Washington, D.C. non-profit corporation in January 1999.  WUFPAC filed its statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission soon thereafter.  The first WUFPAC executive board was assembled in the early months of 1999.

Why does WUFPAC support only women under the age of 40?

WUFPAC supports women under 40 for several reasons.  First, women typically enter politics at a later age than men, making it difficult for them to rise to positions of power during their tenure in Congress.  WUFPAC’s goal is to get women into political office at an earlier age so that they can obtain the seniority necessary to become Committee Chairs and Congressional leaders. WUFPAC believes that if more women under 40 are elected, there will be a corresponding increase in the number of women leaders in Congress.

Second, WUFPAC wants young women in office to represent young women’s issues.  Of the 26 Members of Congress in 2005 who are under 40, only four of them are women.  Young women need representation in Congress so that the issues they care about are addressed, issues such as economic equity, child care, family planning, violence against women, women’s health research, and workplace fairness issues, to name just a few.

Third, WUFPAC recognizes that many young women who run for office are faced with a significant fundraising disadvantage. Women continue to experience an income gap with men, and many women take several years off from their careers to raise children.  Young women as a group have less personal wealth to fund political campaigns than men.  Moreover, many voters and political donors still do not offer the same degree of political support to young female candidates.      WUFPAC recognizes that several prominent women’s groups - such as EMILY’s List, Women’s Campaign Fund, National Women’s Political Caucus, WAND, WISH List, etc. - are already doing a terrific job of raising money for qualified women candidates across the country.  But WUFPAC is the only nonpartisan political action committee that focuses its efforts entirely on young women candidates.  WUFPAC identifies young women running for office, endorses qualified candidates, and contributes to their campaigns.

How does WUFPAC decide which candidates to support?

Every WUFPAC member is given an equal voice in the candidate selection process.  During each election cycle, the WUFPAC executive board submits a slate of qualified candidates to the general membership for a vote and then distributes contributions according to the vote results.  In order to preserve the bi-partisan nature of WUFPAC, no more than 60% of WUFPAC contributions is allocated to candidates of any one political party per election cycle.

How does WUFPAC raise money?

WUFPAC raises money through fundraising events and the Internet, and through our membership drives.  WUFPAC focuses its fundraising efforts on individual donors.

How does WUFPAC support candidates?

WUFPAC’s main  focus is on raising money and making contributions to women under 40 running for U.S. Congress.  WUFPAC issues endorsements to qualified candidates and publicizes opportunities for our members to assist with their campaigns.  WUFPAC also provides candidates with publicity by featuring them on our website, issuing news alerts about their campaigns to our members nationwide, and repeatedly profiling the candidates at WUFPAC events.