Julie Conway

NJ50 Profile

Since the beginning of her political career, Julie Conway has known how to play the long game. When the veteran GOP consultant ran for class leadership during her freshman year of high school, her platform centered on one pillar: sending the class to Disney World for their senior field trip.  

“Turns out it was a pretty slick way to guarantee a one-year term turned into four without any annual opposition!” she laughed. 

She made the trip happen. Since then, in her more than 25 years as a Republican fundraiser, she has brought the same singular focus to growing the ranks of GOP women in federal office, calling herself “a bit of a one-trick pony when it comes to this.”

Serving as the executive director of the Value In Electing Women Political Action Committee since 2011, Conway’s experience has become increasingly valuable. This year, even as more women than ever are serving in the House, the number of Republicans among them has fallen to just 13, the lowest in a quarter century. In response, the past few cycles have seen the launch of several groups dedicated to bolstering GOP women.

VIEW PAC’s endorsement is seen as a seal of approval for those fledgling PACs to consider as they evaluate candidates. Founded in 1997, the organization supported each Republican woman now serving in Congress in her very first race. VIEW PAC—and Conway—aren’t afraid to stick their necks out for female contenders, funneling money and counsel to them as early as possible in their primaries. 

For Conway, helping women win primaries is one of the most important ways to get them elected. But in several races where female Republicans face GOP men, party leaders often fail to back the women with their words—or their wallets.  Conway confesses that she still faces significant pushback for her efforts: “Some folks on our side of the aisle remain unfazed by the prevailing false narrative that we [are a] party of old white men,” she said.
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