EMILYs List backs pair of Florida freshmen for re-election in 2020

Florida Politics: EMILYs List backs pair of Florida freshmen for re-election in 2020

By Ryan Nicol

As 2020 presidential announcements continue to trickle in, EMILYs List is making sure congressional races aren’t left behind. The group announced its support for a pair of female freshmen from South Florida in their upcoming 2020 re-election bids.

EMILYs List says it’s supporting Debbie Mucarsel-Powell of Florida’s 26th Congressional District along with Donna Shalala of Florida’s 27th.

Both women won seats formerly belonging to Republicans in 2018. Mucarsel-Powell defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo in a tight contest. Shalala defeated Maria Elvira Salazar to take the seat belonging to former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen after Ros-Lehtinen decided not to run for re-election.

The pair of South Florida congresswomen were one of 25 female freshman earning early endorsements from EMILYs List. The group aims to promote the election of pro-choice women to Congress.

“Newly elected Democratic congresswomen are already proving what a positive influence their leadership and fresh perspectives bring to Congress,” said EMILYs List President Stephanie Schriock.

“They got to work on day one, supporting legislation that would end the Trump shutdown and re-open the federal government. They have become prominent voices in discussions around expanding affordable health care access, defending voting rights, protecting the environment and other policies that would move our country forward.”

Shalala and Mucarsel-Powell were among 42 women to be elected to Congress for the first time in 2018.

“EMILYs List is fully committed to helping re-elect these impressive new members, whose victories in tight swing districts in 2018 helped us flip the House and elect a record number of women to Congress,” Schriock added.