EMILY's List

EMILY's List. It is a political action committee in the United States dedicated to electing Democratic women who support abortion rights to political office. The organization was founded in 1985 by political fundraiser Ellen Malcolm and has since grown into one of the nation's most influential political groups. Its name is an acronym for "Early Money Is Like Yeast," a phrase signifying the importance of early campaign donations in helping candidates' campaigns rise.

History and founding

The organization was conceived by Ellen Malcolm in the aftermath of the 1984 United States elections, a period marked by significant defeats for Democratic candidates, including Geraldine Ferraro's historic run for Vice President. Malcolm, who had experience with fundraising for groups like the National Organization for Women and the Women's Campaign Fund, identified a critical gap in support for pro-choice Democratic women. She launched the effort from her home in Washington, D.C., with an initial donor network of 25 women. Its first major success came in 1986 with the election of Barbara Mikulski to the United States Senate, making her the first Democratic woman elected to the Senate in her own right.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to build a progressive governing majority by helping to elect Democratic women who champion abortion rights. Its activities are multifaceted, focusing primarily on candidate recruitment, campaign funding, and voter mobilization. The organization provides endorsed candidates with critical early financial support through its vast network of members, alongside strategic campaign training and staff recruitment. It operates sophisticated independent expenditure efforts, including television advertising and get out the vote programs, particularly targeting key demographics in competitive races for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and gubernatorial offices.

Impact and electoral successes

Since its founding, the organization has played a pivotal role in transforming the face of American politics. It has helped elect the first woman as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and supported numerous groundbreaking candidates, including Tammy Baldwin, the first openly LGBT person elected to the United States Senate. Its support was instrumental in the record-breaking number of women elected to the 116th United States Congress, often called the "Year of the Woman." The group has also been central to electing governors like Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Janet Mills of Maine, and has supported victorious Senate candidates such as Maggie Hassan and Catherine Cortez Masto.

Organizational structure and funding

The organization operates through a connected structure of a federal political action committee and a separate super PAC, allowing it to make direct contributions to candidates and fund unlimited independent expenditures. It is funded by contributions from hundreds of thousands of individual members across the country. Leadership has included presidents such as Stephanie Schriock and, as of 2023, Laphonza Butler. The group's financial strategy emphasizes bundling small-dollar donations from its membership to provide maximum early impact for endorsed candidates, a model that has been widely emulated by other political organizations.

Criticism and controversies

The organization has faced criticism from various political perspectives. Some progressive groups and candidates have accused it of favoring establishment, centrist candidates over more liberal challengers in primary elections, such as in races involving Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Justice Democrats. It has also been criticized by anti-abortion groups and some within the Republican Party for its unwavering support of abortion rights. Furthermore, its significant financial influence in Democratic primaries has led to debates about the role of large PACs in intra-party democracy and candidate selection.

Category:Political action committees in the United States Category:Women's political advocacy groups in the United States Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:1985 establishments in the United States