EMILY's List
Today's primaries: What races we're watching and why
By Emily on 06/08/2010 @ 12:19 PM
Primaries, primaries!
Today's going to be a huge day for EMILY's List candidates, and we're keeping a close eye on races as we gear up to help our women keep their seats. Here's an overview of some of the races we're watching today:
California
U.S. Senate
In California, progressive champion Sen. Barbara Boxer will learn today who she'll be facing this fall. The GOP has had an expensive, bitter primary battle, but all three candidates in the running have made one thing clear: They're determined to do whatever it takes to take over Barbara's seat.
Failed HP CEO -- and Sarah Palin-endorsed candidate -- Carly Fiorina is leading in the polls, and the so-called "new face of the pro-life movement" is already throwing punches at Barbara. Fiorina launched an attack website and went after Barbara's record on TV -- even before securing the party nod. Tom Campbell, a former congressman, has tried to make himself out to the be the moderate in the race, and he's said he's the only candidate who can beat Barbara in November. The third candidate, Tea Party favorite Chuck DeVore, is also hoping to mobilize his far-right base to head to the polls today.
We'll be closely monitoring results tonight, but we know now we'll have a tough race on our hands. Barbara has been standing up for us since we helped elect her in 1992 -- and now we need to stand with her.
U.S. House, District 33
Also in California, Assembly Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass will compete in the primary to fill the open seat of outgoing EMILY's List Cong. Diane Watson (CA-33). We were thrilled to support Karen through our Political Opportunity Program while she served in the state Assembly, and we're confident she's the best candidate to carry on Diane's legacy in Congress.
Karen's long been a leading advocate for California's women and families. In the state assembly, she fought to reform foster care, improve public education, and boost funding for at-risk youth. She also was at the forefront of dealing with the state's financial crisis -- and her work hasn't gone unnoticed. She received a Kennedy Profile in Courage Award this year for her role.
In response to the news that she was being recognized with the prestigious honor, Karen said the award is a powerful reminder "that public officials can find the courage to do what’s right" -- and we know that's precisely what she'll do in Congress.
Attorney General
EMILY's List candidate Kamala Harris, who's being support by our POP program, has racked up endorsements from around the state in this closely watched race for attorney general. From Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California leaders are lining up behind Kamala. Having served as San Francisco's first woman district attorney, Kamala brings years of experience fighting crime and protecting victims' rights to the race, and we know she'll continue fighting for justice as the state's attorney general.
Nevada
U.S. House, District 03
In 2008, freshman Cong. Dina Titus challenged a GOP incumbent and won in this swing district -- and we knew then that the GOP would make this one of their top take-back targets for 2010. Today, Dina will find out who will be on the GOP's ticket -- and what she'll be up against in the coming months. Leading the GOP field is a state senator, Joe Heck, who's received support through the NRCC's "Young Guns" program.
Heck is virulently anti-choice and even voted against a measure to require insurance companies to pay for vaccines that prevent cervical cancer (Dina helped draft the legislation).
Maine
Governor
We're also watching the Maine governor's race, where two women -- state Senate President Libby Mitchell and businesswoman Rosa Scarcelli -- are among the four Democratic hopefuls. We haven't endorsed in the race yet, but we'll keep you updated as we learn more.
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