Annapolis, MD
Reproductive Justice Maryland Action (RJM Action) voices deep concern over recent actions by EMILY’s List, a self-proclaimed progressive organization dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to office. Despite its mission, EMILY’s List's recent decisions have raised questions about its commitment to women's rights, reproductive health, and democratic values.
This weekend, EMILY’s List Super PAC Women Vote entered the very contested Maryland Democratic Senate primary running negative ads against David Trone, a Democratic Congressman. EMILY’s List endorsed his primary opponent, Prince George’s County Executive, Angela Alsobrooks. We have no issue with their endorsement - after all they support pro-choice women, however, their acceptance of GOP megadonor money to attack a Democrat who has a 100% voting record from Planned Parenthood and NARAL and helped open a clinic providing abortions and gender affirming care in his district is deeply troubling. Not only is this misleading to voters, it could also jeopardize the integrity of the upcoming elections, potentially paving the way for candidates antithetical to women's rights, like Mitch McConnel's hand-picked candidate Larry Hogan, to gain power.
This is not the first time EMILY’s list has poisoned the well for otherwise solid, experienced pro-choice candidates. In the New Jersey’s Senate race, EMILY’s List endorsed first lady Tammy Murphy, who was a registered Republican, voted in GOP primaries and financially supported anti- abortion Republican candidates. Murphy’s opponent, three-time Congressman Andy Kim has a proven track record on abortion, with an endorsement by the National Organization of Women and has a scorecard of 100% from both Planned Parenthood and NARAL.
In California’s 47th Congressional race, EMILY’s List endorsed Joanna Weiss, a candidate, who does not live in the district and has a limited record on abortion, against State Sen. Dave Min, a candidate who co-authored the state's constitutional amendment to codify abortion/contraception access and has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and was endorsed by NARAL in 2020. Their SuperPAC, Women Vote, has already spent $813,000 to boost Weiss and discredit Min.
Why is EMILY’s list only working in Democratic Primaries to weaken Democrats or move the Democratic Party to the right?
However, most concerning, Women Vote received $500,000 from GOP Donor who has given:
Over $85,000 to the National Republican Senate Committee.
Bundled over $1,000,000 for Nikki Haley and affiliated Presidential committees.
$100,000 to the Thune Victory Fund.
$5,000 to Larry Hogan’s PAC.
Maryland is in a rarely seen and unique position to determine both the House and the Senate in November. It seems EMILY’s List does not have the future of Democracy or reproductive healthcare in mind when they make bedfellows with GOP Donors and push candidates through the primary that could cost us the general.
We are calling on Women Vote, EMILY’s List Super PAC, to refund the $500,000 they received from a national GOP donor, and reveal the donor list before the next reporting deadline so we know exactly who is trying to put their hand on the scale in this Maryland primary.
*RJM Action is the official 501c4 arm of Reproductive Justice Maryland. Our mission is to advance legislative and policy initiatives that uphold the principles of reproductive justice, ensuring equitable access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including but not limited to abortion, contraception, and gender-affirming care. RJM Action advocates for laws and policies that dismantle barriers to reproductive autonomy and promote the health and well-being of all Marylanders, particularly those marginalized and underserved by existing systems. To learn more about RJM Action please visit Reproductive Justice Maryland Action or email info@reproductivejusticemaryland.org
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