In an effort to help former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich appeal more favorable to female voters, the Newt Gingrich campaign created a new coalition known as ‘Women with Newt.’ According to a campaign press release, the coalition will be led by Mr. Gingrich’s wife Callista, who is also president of Gingrich Productions, a multimedia production company.
Mrs. Gingrich will lead a team of 6 national co-chairs. These women include: Sue Lynch, President Emeritus of the National Federation of Republican Women, Jeri Thompson, a renowned political commentator and wife of Senator Fred Thompson, Gay Hart Gaines, a long-time Republican activist and former chairman of GOPAC, Linda Upmeyer, Iowa House of Representatives Majority Leader, and Mr. Gingrich’s daughters, Kathy Gingrich Lubbers, an entrepreneur, and Jackie Gingrich Cushman, a nationally syndicated columnist and author.
“Over the last several months, I have had the privilege of visiting with many wonderful women across the country — learning about their concerns and hopes for our future. My husband is the only candidate with the experience, knowledge, and vision to get our country back on the right track,” said Mrs. Gingrich.
Speaker Gingrich struggled to bring women voters to the polls for him in Florida. The Associated Press reported former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney outpaced Mr. Gingrich in the number of women voters who supported him.
A move to create an all-female political coalition is par for the course for any male politician who is looking to appeal to female voters; however, Mr. Gingrich’s past affairs, are likely to come to mind the moment most political observers see the name of the all female coalition. This is likely a chance the campaign is willing to take, and more than likely, they are hoping to change voters’ perception on.
