EMILY'S List Endorses Debbie Wasserman Schultz

WASHINGTON, D.C. - EMILY's List, the largest financial resource for women running for elective office, today announced its support for Debbie Wasserman Schultz in her bid to represent the 20th District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives.

EMILY's List will recommend Wasserman Schultz to its nationwide network of members, opening the door to tens of thousands of donors eager to elect a pro-choice Democratic woman to Congress in this open, highly Democratic seat.

During her tenure in both the Florida House of Representatives and State Senate, Wasserman Schultz has demonstrated her dedication on issues important to children and working families. As a State Senator, Wasserman Schultz authored the popular Florida Infant Crib Safety Act that passed both the House and Senate by overwhelming margins. While serving in the state House, Wasserman Schultz fought to increase funding to public schools to solve problems of overcrowding and drew praise for her efforts to establish a statewide child care administration agency to establish regulations for day care facilities.

"Debbie Wasserman Schultz has fought for more than 11 years on the floor of the legislature for residents of the 20th District and the citizens of Florida," said EMILY's List President Ellen R. Malcolm. "Her proven leadership, commitment to service and electoral and policy successes will make her unstoppable in November, and a tremendous asset to the United States Congress."

With almost 73,000 members nationwide, EMILY's List expects to be a considerable fundraising force for Wasserman Schultz in her campaign. EMILY's List has a long history of electing pro-choice Democratic women to office across the country, and hopes to make Debbie Wasserman Schultz part of that history. Wasserman Schultz joins the list of 15 women already endorsed by EMILY's List this cycle that are sure to change the face of power come November.

"EMILY's List is a major force in electing pro-choice Democratic women to Congress," said Wasserman Schultz. "EMILY's List's endorsement is significant not only because it further recognizes my commitment to women and children, but it also demonstrates to the citizens in the 20th district that my support for women's health and reproductive freedom is unwavering."

In its 19-year history, EMILY's List has helped elect seven women governors, 11 women to the United States Senate and 55 women to the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 2002 elections, EMILY's List and its almost 73,000 members contributed nearly $9.7 million to pro-choice Democratic women candidates; members contributed $23 million to fund EMILY's List operations and political program, including the nationwide WOMEN VOTE! project to mobilize women voters on behalf of Democrats.