EMILYs List Announces Virginia House of Delegates Endorsements
August 17, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILY's List, the nation's largest resource for women in politics, released its list of endorsed candidates for Virginia's legislative general election. This diverse group of women includes many who will make history if elected, including the would-be first Filipina, Latina, and transgender women to ever serve in the House of Delegates. Emily Cain, executive director of EMILYs List, released the following statement:
“As Virginians work to heal the wounds of racism, hate and violence caused by white supremacist groups last weekend, we at EMILY's List believe that the people of Virginia will begin to seek out a better and more progressive vision for their state,” said EMILY's List Executive Director Emily Cain. “Virginia's families deserve better than the misplaced priorities of the Republican-led legislature. They want better-paying jobs, stronger schools, and access to quality health care. That is why EMILY's List is so proud to announce our general election endorsement of 15 exceptional and diverse women who are committed to improving their communities and ensuring that Virginia is a place where everyone feels welcome. We will work hand-in-hand with these candidates to bring their voices to the House of Delegates this November.”
EMILY's List endorsements include candidates in all 11 districts that had a Republican incumbent but Hillary Clinton won in 2016. The endorsed candidates are: Dawn Adams (HD-68); Hala Ayala (HD-51); Karrie Delaney (HD-67); Kelly Fowler (HD-21); Jennifer Carroll Foy (HD-02); Wendy Gooditis (HD-10); Elizabeth Guzman (HD-31); Kathleen Murphy (HD-34); Djuna Osborne (HD-17); Debra Rodman (HD-73); Danica Roem (HD-13); Shelly Simonds (HD-94); Kathy Tran (HD-42); Cheryl Turpin (HD-85); and Tia Walbridge (HD-33).
EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $500 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making them one of the most successful political organizations ever. Our grassroots community of over five million members helps Democratic women wage competitive campaigns – and win. We recruit and train candidates, support strong campaigns, research the issues that impact women and families, and turn out women voters. Since our founding in 1985, we have helped elect 116 women to the House, 23 to the Senate, 12 governors, and over 800 to state and local office. Forty percent of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color. Since the 2016 election, thousands of women and counting have reached out to us about running for office. To harness this energy, EMILYs List has launched Run to Win, an unprecedented effort to get more women to run at the local, state, and national levels.
