EMILY’s List Congratulates Patty Murray on her New Role as Chair of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Today, EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock congratulates Senator Patty Murray on her new role as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

"Patty Murray will be a fierce leader of the DSCC for the upcoming 2012 elections," said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY's List. "Her proven leadership and political acumen will serve her well and ensure that Democrats are prepared for the 2012 election cycle where six EMILY's List women Senators are up for re-election. Patty Murray's success and dependable leadership are an inspiration to EMILY's List members and women everywhere."

Senator Murray previously served as chair of the DSCC -- the first and only woman to do so -- during the 2002 election cycle. Under Murray's leadership and guidance the DSCC raised at that time a record breaking $143 million. Since Murray's election to the Senate in 1992, the historic "Year of the Woman," she has been powerful voice for women and families. The first woman to represent Washington state in the Senate, Murray has passionately supported increased funding for the National Family Planning Fund, championed the Violence Against Women Act and pushed to make emergency contraception available over the counter. Murray worked for nearly a decade to pass the Wild Sky Wilderness Act, which protects more than 106,000 acres of wildlife. Murray has worked tirelessly to help Washington State -- and the country -- by encouraging economic growth through investments in education, health care, transportation and job training. Her continued role as a leader in the Democratic Party and as Democratic Conference Secretary on the Democratic Leadership committee will ensure the voices of women and families are heard and represented.

"Senator Murray has a unique relationship with the EMILY's List community," Schriock said. "From her first inspirational Senate race as the 'Mom in Tennis Shoes' to her last race, solidly defeating extremist candidate Dino Rossi, EMILY's List members have stood shoulder to shoulder with Patty -- as they will in the months and years to come."

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 600,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 84 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 25 year history.