EMILY’s List endorses Minter

Sue Minter, Democratic candidate for governor. Photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger

A powerful, Washington, D.C.-based political action committee has endorsed Sue Minter for the Vermont Democratic gubernatorial primary race.

EMILY’s List, a fundraising organization for pro-choice, Democratic women candidates, made the announcement on Monday. Since 1985, the group has raised $400 million for women seeking political office and has helped to elect 11 governors, 19 senators and 100 to the House.

In the past election cycle, EMILY’s List helped to elect Democrats Maggie Hassan, the governor of New Hampshire, and Gina Raimondo, the governor of Rhode Island. In 2010, the group backed former Secretary of State Deb Markowitz who lost to Gov. Peter Shumlin in a primary race that year.

The endorsement gives Minter a secure source of national backing in the coming election cycle, which includes a tough August primary. Minter faces one primary challenger, Matt Dunne, a former state senator and Google executive, but at least one more Democrat may enter the race -- former state senator Peter Galbraith or House Speaker Shap Smith who has not ruled out a run for the Fifth Floor.

Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, selected Minter because she “has the leadership experience and progressive values to move Vermont forward."

“We know that women in executive leadership positions can make a tremendous positive impact, but today only three states have Democratic women serving as governors,” Schriock said. “This year Vermont has an opportunity to elect a tireless champion for women and families to the state's highest office - and the EMILY's List community of over three million members is excited to endorse Sue Minter's strong campaign."