Phil Ammann
Women’s political group EMILY’s List has endorsed U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham in her 2016 congressional re-election bid.
With more than 3 million members, EMILY’s List — EMILY stands for Early Money Is Like Yeast — supports progressive women who support abortion rights.
The group announced its endorsement on Twitter Tuesday morning.
Getting the nod from EMILY’s List is far from insignificant.
Founded by Democratic strategist Ellen Malcolm, the group is considered one of the “heavy hitters” of national politics. According to FEC, EMILY’s List raised more than $38 million, with $8 million in outside spending from over 10,000 larger donors, as well as from thousands of small givers.
Many of the donations fall below the $200 threshold, says the Center for Responsive Politics, so the totals given by EMILY’s List members is likely much greater than official totals reported to the FEC. Abortion rights remain the key focus of the group, although its agenda has expanded recently to include economic and social issues, like education.
The group first backed Graham in her win over Tea Party-backed incumbent Congressman Steve Southerland for Florida’s Second Congressional District, giving the Democrat from Tallahassee $78,165 in 2014.
EMILY’s List has also been a longtime supporter of Hillary Clinton, both in 2008 and her newly launched presidential campaign.
We’re endorsing @GwenforCongress for reelection today! #FL02 pic.twitter.com/mhXZJVxHmz
— EMILY's List (@emilyslist) May 12, 2015
