EMILYs List to Andy Levin: How Dare You Diminish Ellen Lipton’s Experience and Accomplishments

For Immediate Release
July 13, 2018

EMILY's List to Andy Levin: How Dare You Diminish Ellen Lipton's Experience and Accomplishments

Washington, D.C. — On the same day that the Detroit News endorsed Ellen Lipton for Michigan's 9th District, saying that Ellen was “instrumental in winning passage of the ballot initiative enabling stem cell research in Michigan” and “led the criminal justice reform effort that improved representation for indigent defendants,” Andy Levin is attempting to undercut Ellen's experience and accomplishments in the Detroit Free Press. In reference to Ellen, Levin said, “I think of it as about leadership. I think it’s fine to be in a safe seat in the state Legislature for a few terms or whatever…But I have run programs that have consistently changed people’s lives.”

Julie McClain Downey, senior director of campaign communications at EMILY's List, released the following statement: 

“How dare Andy Levin diminish Ellen Lipton's experience and significant accomplishments by saying she served 'for a few terms or whatever.' As the Detroit News pointed out in their endorsement of her, Ellen played a critical role in overturning the stem cell research ban in Michigan and led criminal justice reform efforts. She went on to become president of the Michigan Promise Zone Association to expand higher education opportunities for students. If Levin wants to talk 'changing people's lives,' then he should take a page out of Ellen's book rather than trying to tear down this devoted, impressive woman.” 

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.