When we say our women are cut out for leadership roles, we mean it. And we're certainly not the only ones who think so.
Earlier this week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced new leadership for its Red to Blue program, which supports some of the top Democratic challengers in GOP-held seats around the country. EMILY's List alums Cong. Allyson Schwartz and Donna Edwards will be serving as two of the four program chairs. Also taking on new responsibility will be current DCCC Vice Chair Cong. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who will be working with Democratic incumbents this cycle.
We're not surprised to see our women stepping up to help where they're most needed!
EMILY's List candidate Tarryl Clark wants to makes sure the people of Minnesota's sixth district know what their future will look like if Cong. Michele Bachmann has her way. One thing it won't include? Social Security as we know it.
Tarryl's campaign released a very telling web video this week about Bachmann's stance on privatization of social security, and we wanted to make sure you saw it:
Yesterday, Vermont gubernatorial candidate Deb Markowitz kicked off her campaign, telling supporters exactly why she decided to run for governor:
"I am ready to lead this state, and together, with lots of energy, lots of smarts, lots of hard work and a little luck, we can jump-start Vermont, change Montpelier, grow jobs and build a strong future for our children."
Deb, who has served as Vermont's secretary of state since 1998, told supporters she understands the challenges facing the state , and she's ready to get down to business to create new jobs and help struggling Vermont families. With her trademark smile, as the Burlington Free Press noted, Deb said her experience and dedication make her the best candidate for the job. And based on comments from event attendees, other Vermonters are in agreement.
"We've known Deb for 10 years, and we are so impressed with her leadership. She is someone we can completely trust," supporter Christine Zachai told the Free Press.
Recent polling has shown Deb is the Democrat in the race best positioned to beat the GOP's candidate, current Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie. But with 5 candidates in the primary race, Deb will need all our support to get her message out to voters and put this seat in Democratic hands.
I have two words for Cong. Bart Stupak today, and I promise they're not sarcastic: Thank you!
Thank you for reminding me, and millions of young women around the country, that our reproductive rights are negotiable.
Thank you for waking me from the complacency I had regarding my own rights.
Thank you for reminding me that there are members of Congress dedicated solely to political success over the good of society as a whole.
And thank you showing me that there are members of Congress who aren't -- especially the pro-choice Democratic women in the House and Senate who fight so hard for us.
I'm sure you know Cong. Stupak is back, threatening to take health care hostage. Despite the rejection of his initial proposal to restrict women's rights in the health care bill, Cong. Stupak isn't about to go down quietly. He's joining with 11 other anti-choice Democrats in the House to vote against health care unless they get their way with more restrictions on women’s reproductive rights.
Attacking women's reproductive freedom for your own political gain and stopping health care for all is just plain wrong.
So why do I thank Mr. Stupak? For inspiration.
I made the decision to change course and come to EMILY's List, at least in part, because I had the unfortunate opportunity to watch him in action this fall, proposing a drastic change to current legislation -- a change that would have gone further than any previous federal law to restrict access to abortion.
I got fired up. And I decided to get involved.
Because there's nothing as infuriating as working for Congress and watching up-close as a male congressman takes the lead on an issue like this one, advocating to restrict women's rights.
More inspiring still?
Watching the Democratic women members of the House and Senate line up to head to the floor together, united in their fight to protect reproductive rights -- in addition to making sure women don't pay more than men for health care and have access to necessary preventative measures like mammograms. I was incredibly proud to watch them then, and I'm prouder still to be part of the EMILY's List team now to work for their re-elections and trying to get them some extra hands.
As we celebrate International Women's Day today, we are reminded why it is so important that we stand up for women in the us and around the world. And we must do everything we can to fight back against this outrageous assault on choice, because there's too much at stake for us to sit this one out.
So, Cong. Stupak, if you happen to come across this post, take heart in knowing that your assault on women's rights hasn’t just been divisive, or obstructive, or even infuriating. It's also been inspiring. Because now I'm more committed than ever to electing the women who will make our democracy more representative for all of us.
Now, I admit this might be sarcastic, but I'm sure that's exactly what you were hoping for.
We told you earlier that Linda Chavez-Thompson won her primary for lieutenant governor in Texas, and we wanted to make sure you knew about our other big Political Opportunity Program victories from this week.
Loretta Haldenwang, who won the Democratic nomination for Texas state House district 105, soundly defeated her primary opponent and came out with a win. Next up for Loretta is a three-way race against the incumbent, GOP state Rep. Linda Harper Brown, and a Libertarian candidate, Cecil Ince. Loretta is fresh off a decisive primary win, but the general election is shaping up to be a competitive contest. We'll keep you updated as her race develops.
And in Virginia, Eileen Filler-Corn won a special election to fill the vacant seat in House district 41. Eileen came out on top in an extremely tight race, winning with just 37 votes over her Republican opponent, Kerry Bolognese. This is a tough swing district -- but Eileen put together a winning campaign and got her message out to voters.
Congratulations to all our POP candidates on their exciting wins!
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