EMILYs List Endorses Minnesota’s Tina Smith

Roll Call: EMILYs List Endorses Minnesota’s Tina Smith

By: Simone Pathe

A day after being sworn into the Senate, Minnesota’s Tina Smith picked up the endorsement of EMILYs List on Thursday for the November special election.

The political action committee, which backs female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights, will work with Smith’s campaign in an advisory role and introduce her to its national donor network.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Smith to fill former Sen. Al Franken’s seat. Republicans have not yet settled on a candidate. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the race Likely Democratic after Franken announced his resignation in December.

“Tina’s experience in Minnesota — from her work protecting women’s access to care as a vice president of Planned Parenthood Minnesota and the Dakotas, to her success creating jobs, strengthening the economy, and expanding access to early education while serving as lieutenant governor in the state — immensely qualifies her for this role,” EMILYs List President Stephanie Schriock said in a statement provided first to Roll Call.

“Tina Smith will continue the long tradition of great Minnesota senators who have dedicated themselves to opportunity, fairness and improving the lives of working families — and the EMILYs List community is thrilled to endorse her campaign for Senate,” Schriock added.