Week of April 6, 2009
DearThey say March goes out like a lamb, but you sure wouldn't know it by walking around our office. With a special election around the corner, breaking news in Missouri's Senate race, and progress for new moms, there hasn't been a moment of down time. So let's get right to it.
Here's the latest news from the field…
Bringing up baby
The U.S. House isn't just taking baby steps when it comes to the new moms among its ranks -- it's full speed ahead. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (featured in the photo to the left with her newest granddaugher) announced last week that the House now has nursing rooms at the Capitol, an effort to reach out to women with children currently serving in Congress. "…[I]t's a real message to working moms and young moms across America that someone who shares their experience and their aspirations for their children is a voice for them in the Congress," Pelosi said -- and I couldn't agree more. With five children of her own, Pelosi knows how difficult it can be to juggle work and family life, and we're incredibly proud of the work she's doing to level the playing field for women in Congress and throughout the country.
Ready to run
Exciting news in California: EMILY's List has endorsed progressive leader Judy Chu, who is running for Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis' open House seat in California's 32nd congressional district. We're thrilled to see the political pipeline in action as Chu, a former state assemblywoman and mayor, seeks to move up to Congress. Chu, an educator and fiscal expert, has already earned some important and influential endorsements, including the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, SEIU, the California Teachers Association, and a number of members of Congress. In 2006, Chu was elected to the powerful California State Board of Equalization, the nation's only elected tax commission. She's been an outspoken leader on choice, health care, and education, and is renowned for her skills at building coalitions in this diverse community. With a May 19 primary election, Chu has only a short time to raise the money to win this race -- and every dollar we send her way will make a big difference. Click here to make a direct and immediate contribution to Judy Chu today!
Leading the pack
There's breaking news in the Show-Me state, where Missouri Senate candidate Robin Carnahan leads two potential Republican opponents in the race to replace retiring GOP Sen. Kit Bond. A poll, released in late March, shows Carnahan leading Cong. Roy Blunt and former state treasurer Sarah Steelman in head-to-head contests. Against Blunt, who was a key member of the Republican House leadership with Tom DeLay, Robin is ahead 47 to 44 percent. Against Steelman, Robin leads 47 to 39 percent.
We know Robin has what it takes to pick up this seat for Democrats -- she won more votes than any candidate in state history in her 2008 re-election -- but Missouri is a true swing state, so we're not taking any chances. Both of Robin's potential opponents have ties to far-right special interest groups -- and, as the insider's insider, Blunt has access to a deep-pocketed conservative fundraising network that will surely make this one of the most expensive races in the country. EMILY's List is committed to making sure Robin has the resources she needs to get her reform message out to voters.
Click here to read more about this poll and the latest developments in this race.
Early hope
We were all touched when we heard Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's story about her experience with breast cancer -- and her effort to help other women detect the disease as early as possible.
Determined not to let her cancer define her life, Debbie, a remarkable leader with three young children, chose to undergo treatment in private while maintaining her demanding House and campaign schedule. Now cancer-free, Debbie recently introduced the Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (the EARLY Act), aimed at educating women, particularly young women (Debbie is 42) about breast cancer risk factors and early detection efforts. We couldn't be more proud to stand with Debbie, whose decision to share her experience and sponsor the EARLY Act will affect the lives of millions of women and girls. After we posted Debbie's story on our web site, support from EMILY's List members poured in from across the country. We’ve sent members' warm wishes on to Debbie to make sure she knows she has the full force of EMILY's List behind her.
If you haven't had a chance to send Debbie a message, you still can. Click here to hear Debbie's story and send her a personal note of support.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts about EMILY's List, our candidates, or whatever's on your mind, so feel free to send me an email at newsfromthefield@emilyslist.org.
Thanks for all that you're doing to rebuild a progressive America.
Warmly,
Britt Cocanour
Chief of Staff
