Emily’s list backs Clark for Congress
Emily's List, a political action committee geared towards helping female candidates, is backing DFL state Sen. Tarryl Clark for Congress. Clark is seeking the DFL endorsement in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District against Dr. Maureen Reed. The winner will face GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann in the general election.
In a news release, Emily's List President Ellen Malcolm said Clark can attract independent voters in the GOP leaning district:
"EMILY's List is proud to support Tarryl Clark in her campaign for U.S. Congress," said Ellen R. Malcolm, President of EMILY's List. "As a State Senator, Tarryl spearheaded major bipartisan initiatives on a number of issues, including education, veterans' affairs, domestic violence, consumer protection, and affordable housing. Her strong reputation of getting things done for Minnesota families is what sets her apart from her opponents and has enabled her to be such a powerful voice for her constituents."
"Tarryl is a proven vote getter in what is traditionally rough territory for Democrats," continued Malcolm. "Her candidacy puts this district in play and gives Democrats the best shot at picking up this swing-seat in November."
After winning in a Republican-leaning state Senate district in a 2005 special election and getting re-elected in 2006, Clark was chosen by her colleagues to serve as Assistant Majority Leader, the number two leadership position in the Minnesota State Senate -- recognition that speaks to her legislative skills. With her strong record of leadership and bipartisan legislative accomplishments, Tarryl has been dubbed a "rising star" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Clark has also won the backing of Women Winning, a Minnesota based PAC and the Women's Campaign Forum (a national group).
The backing of Emily's List will mean gobs of money for Clark. But the endorsement hasn't always garnered positive results at the ballot box for the group's candidates. Emily's List backed Ember Reichgott Junge and Patty Wetterling for Congress. They both lost those bids respectively. Update: Emily's List also backed Amy Klobuchar's successful senate run and Betty McCollum's successful run for Congress.
The backing means the 2010 race for Minnesota's 6th Congressional will be expensive. Bachmann has been a fundraising force on her own.
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