EMILY’s List Celebrates Multiple Victories for Democratic Women in North Carolina and Indiana

Women Voters and the WOMEN VOTE! Program Deliver for EMILY’s List Candidates

The following are comments from EMILY’s List president and founder, Ellen R. Malcolm on victories by EMILY’s List candidates in races in Indiana and North Carolina:

“Today, EMILY’s List celebrates multiple victories for Democratic women candidates in Indiana and North Carolina. From the White House to the state House, from the U.S. Senate to the state legislature, EMILY’s List candidates like Hillary Clinton, Jill Long Thompson, Bev Perdue, and Kay Hagan won hard fought victories. These women demonstrated the strength, tenacity, and devotion to public service that voters want to bring to government. These women will be outstanding standard bearers not only for their party but for the millions of people who want to see a better future for their families, their states, and their country.”

Women Voters Look to Senator Clinton for Solutions

“Senator Clinton once again relied upon the support of women and working class voters who have made up the foundation of her historic campaign. Last night, Clinton demonstrated the strength of her convictions and the depth and breadth of her support among Democratic voters. Those voters most in need of solutions from their government – on the economy, on healthcare, and on the cost of living – chose her as the best candidate to lead this country in a new direction.”

Jill Long Thompson Conquers Conventional Wisdom

“In Indiana, Jill Long Thompson conquered conventional wisdom and the establishment support that was stacked against her, to claim the Democratic nomination for governor of Indiana. Despite being outspent by more than a million dollars, Jill emerged victorious and became the first woman in Indiana’s history to receive her party’s nomination for governor. No stranger to tough campaigns, Jill demonstrated a depth of experience and command of the issues that makes her the best candidate to confront the critical issues facing Indiana.”

EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! helped secure the margin of victory in this incredibly tight gubernatorial primary by running an absentee ballot program targeting more than 50,000 senior women voters in Indiana.

EMILY’s List Victories in Indiana and North Carolina Indiana:

Indiana:
Senator Hillary Clinton – President
Jill Long Thompson – Governor

North Carolina Statewide
Kay Hagan – U.S. Senate
Bev Perdue – Governor
Janet Cowell - State Treasurer

North Carolina State Legislature
Angela Bryant
Tricia Cotham
Katie Dorsett
Ellie Kinnaird
Annie Mobley

Bev Perdue Claims the High Road and Victory

“Bev Perdue won the nomination for governor because of the courage of her convictions and the strength of her vision for the people of North Carolina. Facing down vicious attacks, she demonstrated the grace, strength, and determination that have been hallmarks of her long and distinguished career in public service.”

In an incredibly crowded communications climate, EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! worked to educate North Carolina voters on issues, such as protecting North Carolina’s children from predators through a state-wide radio campaign.

Kay Hagan Chosen to Fix Washington

“North Carolina Democratic voters chose Kay Hagan as their U.S. Senate nominee to fix Washington and bring an end to the status quo that Senator Dole has so loyally served. Hagan’s long track record of bringing positive results for North Carolinians paved her path to the nomination and will make her a formidable opponent come November.”

Political Opportunity Program Helps Six

“EMILY’s List has worked since 2001 through its Political Opportunity Program to elect more Democratic women to state and local office. We work to build for tomorrow and create victories today for Democratic women. The dividends for the people of North Carolina are evident in the wealth of talent that emerged in the statewide treasurer race and legislative races across the state.”

The Political Opportunity Program (POP) supported:

• Janet Cowell won her three-way primary for state treasurer with 47 percent of the vote. As a business investment expert, Cowell helped create thousands of North Carolina jobs and as a state senator she protected North Carolina pensions and invested in North Carolinians’ future by raising teacher pay, improving schools, and making college more affordable.

• Angela Bryant defeated her primary opponent in House District 7 and is expected to serve her first full term representing this solidly Democratic district in Rocky Mount. A long-time community activist, Bryant is a strong progressive with a lengthy political future ahead.

• The youngest member of the North Carolina General Assembly, Tricia Cotham in District 100 defeated a three-term county commissioner in yesterday’s primary. Cotham is a school assistant principal who knocked on hundreds of doors in this race. In the legislature, Cotham has focused her efforts on progressive issues including education, health care, and jobs.

• Having solidly defeated a tough primary opponent, Katie Dorsett secured her fourth term as a state senator representing District 28. Dorsett is a retired educator who focuses on improving education, creating jobs, and protecting the environment.

• Ellie Kinnaird defeated a well-funded opponent yesterday in the primary election in Senate District 23, securing her seventh term. A leader in the civic and community life of Orange County for decades, she is a champion for the arts, environment and neighborhood restoration.

• Annie Mobley, in House District 5, defeated her primary opponent yesterday with 58 percent of the vote. Mobley, a long-time public servant in the Administrative Court in North Carolina was first appointed to the legislature in January 2007. Mobley served as vice-chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee and focused much of her early legislative work on the agriculture and economy – two areas critical to the citizens in her district.

A seventh EMILY’s List POP candidate, Kathy Taft is headed to a run-off election after Tuesday’s six-way primary in Senate District 5. Taft ran a well-organized and aggressive campaign, knocking on doors and building a grassroots effort in the rural district.

With more than 100,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is the largest political action committee in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has raised over $240 million to elect 70 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 13 to the U.S. Senate, and eight governors. Over the course of 23 years, EMILY's List has helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to federal office, state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices.

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