EMILY's List Announces First Congressional Endorsements of Election Cycle

WASHINGTON, D.C. EMILY's List, the nation's largest grassroots political network and financial resource for women running for elected office, today announced its endorsement of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08), Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) and Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-20). The 2006 victories of these pro-choice, Democratic women were critical to secure Democratic control of the Congress and helped make Nancy Pelosi the first woman Speaker of the House.

EMILY's List is proud to endorse Congresswomen Giffords, Shea-Porter and Gillibrand. All three of these women outperformed strongly rooted Republican opposition in November by impressing their future constituents with smart agendas and realistic goals. In fact, Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand overcame an entrenched GOP incumbent who voted with Bush 80 percent of the time, while Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Rep. Carol Shea-Porter both won back House seats that Republicans controlled for more than 20 years.

In just a few short weeks, Representatives Giffords, Shea-Porter and Gillibrand have proven themselves to be influential freshman members of the 110th Congress. The Congresswomen quickly earned prestigious House committee assignments in recognition of their budding leadership and strong voices. All three were named to the prominent House Armed Services Committee. In addition to this honor, Rep. Gillibrand serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Shea-Porter on the Committee on Education and Labor, and Rep. Giffords on both the House Committee for Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Science and Technology.

"These women have changed the face of Congress, and EMILY's List will vigorously defend their seats in 2008." said Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY's List. "To protect our incumbents and the Democratic majority, EMILY's List is already planning aggressive fundraising, organizing, and voter mobilization efforts for the 2008 cycle. The endorsement of EMILY's List carries with it the resources of thousands of Democratic donors and activists committed to keeping these women in Congress, Democrats in the majority, and Nancy Pelosi in the Speaker's chair."