EMILYs List on Historic Victories in Virginia, Election of Record-Breaking Number of Women to House

November 8, 2017
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, released the following statement on historic victories in Virginia and the election of a record-breaking number of women to the House of Delegates. Of the 15 Republican-held seats that were flipped tonight, 11 were by EMILY's List endorsed women. 

“This diverse group of strong, pro-choice Democratic women has made history tonight,” said EMILYs List President Stephanie Schriock. “A record number of women ran for office in Virginia, and now a record number of women will serve in the Virginia House of Delegates, fighting for improved public education, investment in infrastructure, economic growth, and access to health care.

“What we knew to be true at EMILY's List became clear to the world tonight, that women are leading the resistance – whether that's by running for office or by voting overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates. Women are the reason that Democrats exceeded all expectations and will change the face of governance in Virginia. This is what it looks like when Democratic allies eager for progress come together – we make real change.”

With control of the House of Delegates still in play, we know for sure that Virginia elected at least 25 women to the House of Delegates tonight with Shelley Simonds' (VA-HD94) race still too close to call. The highest number of women to serve in the Virginia House previously was 19 in 2013. Among the history-making women elected tonight are the first trans woman, the first Latinas, and the first Asian American woman to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.

Dawn Adams was elected to represent House District 68, Hala Ayala was elected to represent House District 51, Karrie Delaney was elected to represent House District 67, Kelly Fowler was elected to represent House District 21, Jennifer Carroll Foy was elected to represent House District 2, Wendy Gooditis was elected to represent House District 10, Elizabeth Guzman was elected to represent House District 31, Delores McQuinn was re-elected to represent House District 70, Kathleen Murphy was re-elected to represent House District 34, Debra Rodman was elected to represent House District 73, Danica Roem was elected to represent House District 13, Kathy Tran was elected to represent House District 42, and Cheryl Turpin was elected to represent House District 85.

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.