LOOK WHO'S ON EMILY'S LIST

Dear Lucas, Republicans are desperate to regain power. They're spreading bold-faced lies and running attack ads against members of Congress, including many of the women we helped elect. But we can stop them. We have an impressive lineup of dynamic women running in highly competitive races, but they'll have their work cut out for them in 2010. Each of the following candidates is counting on your support to withstand an all-out GOP assault and build winning campaigns. That's why I'm asking you to play a direct role in these races and support one, two, or more of these outstanding women candidates. Click here to contribute to EMILY's List candidates, and 100 percent of your gift will go directly to their campaigns.
U.S. House, CO-04 - Betsy Markey Likely Republican opponent: Cory Gardner The country's most Republican district held by a Democratic woman. Betsy Markey has built an impressive national profile since unseating radical Republican Marilyn Musgrave last year. During a summer marked by right-wing attacks, Betsy has managed to hold productive meetings with constituents, even drawing a standing ovation. Although she is working hard for her district, there's no doubt this will be one of the toughest re-elections in the country in 2010. Already, Republicans are using Markey's votes on renewable energy legislation against her, launching a deceptive attack campaign targeting her support. Republicans have wasted no time recruiting candidates, the most dangerous of whom is state Rep. Cory Gardner, a former Musgrave campaign chair who struggled with a question about Obama's birthplace and is vehemently anti-choice, even sponsoring state abortion ban legislation and voting against emergency contraception for victims of sexual assault. The GOP is determined to take back this seat and will lavish cash on its nominee. Betsy is counting on your help to raise $3.5 million to repel Republican attacks and keep this seat in the Democratic column.
	Click here to make a direct and immediate contribution to Betsy Markey today, and 100 percent of your gift will go directly to her campaign.
U.S. House, OH-15 - Mary Jo Kilroy Likely Republican opponent: Steve Stivers A fierce rematch in a top-tier race. Mary Jo Kilroy has established herself as a passionate advocate in the fight for health care reform. She drew national attention when she broke the GOP's 40-year hold on this seat, narrowly beating Steve Stivers, who recently announced he is running once more. With the help of House Minority Leader John Boehner, Stivers raised over $1.2 million from PACs in 2008 and he's counting on special-interest money to buy him the election this time. Ohio is a key battleground state, and when Mary Jo faced off with Stivers in 2008, she won by less than one percent of the vote. This year's race may well be a similar photo finish. To withstand the national GOP's attack ads and defeat Stivers again, Mary Jo needs your help today to raise $3 million for her campaign.
	Click here to make a direct and immediate contribution to Mary Jo Kilroy today, and 100 percent of your gift will go directly to her campaign.
U.S. House, FL-24 - Suzanne Kosmas Likely Republican opponent: Developing field A freshman leader under attack. Suzanne Kosmas has emerged as a rising Democratic star, distinguishing herself as a champion of fiscal responsibility and ethics reform. Kosmas has worked to block a congressional pay raise and introduced a bill that would double the length of time former members of the U.S. House of Representatives would have to wait before they could begin lobbying Congress. After unseating Republican incumbent Tom Feeney in this Republican-leaning district in 2008, Kosmas now faces a GOP feverishly recruiting candidates to run against her, including high-profile state legislators. Republicans are already running misleading ads targeting Suzanne, and their chosen nominee can expect the full backing of the national party. She's working hard to raise the funds she'll need to fight off right-wing attacks and discourage a serious challenger. But in a challenging district for Democrats where attacks are already being leveled against her, Suzanne is depending on you to help her raise the $3.5 million she needs to fend off the GOP and keep this seat part of the Democratic majority.
	Click here to make a direct and immediate contribution to Suzanne Kosmas today, and 100 percent of your gift will go directly to her campaign.
U.S. Senate, Missouri - Robin Carnahan Likely Republican opponent: Roy Blunt The top Senate pick-up opportunity in the country. All eyes are on Missouri, where Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is preparing to win back a long-held GOP Senate seat for Democrats. Carnahan is the ideal candidate to take back this seat, bringing a record of accomplishment, her family's commitment to public service, and her proven ability to win votes in this swing state. But Robin will face another big name in Missouri politics, anti-choice Rep. Roy Blunt, a well-connected GOP insider who was named one of the thirteen most corrupt members of Congress by a citizen watchdog group because of his ties to lobbyists. He also has stretched the truth about health care to bolster his opposition to reform. He's using his special interest ties to raise millions, finishing last quarter with an impressive showing. This will be one of the highest profile races in the country, and winning won't be easy - statewide Missouri races often are won or lost by only a handful of votes. Robin must raise $15 million to move this GOP-held seat into Democratic hands.
	Click here to make a direct and immediate contribution to Robin Carnahan today, and 100 percent of your gift will go directly to her campaign.
Governor, Florida - Alex Sink Likely Republican opponent: Bill McCollum A crucial fight for leadership in a battleground state. State Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink faces right-wing Attorney General Bill McCollum in a marquis race for the Florida governorship. McCollum, a former lobbyist and member of Congress, is so far to the right that a local columnist wrote that "he makes Rush Limbaugh look like Jane Fonda." Known for being radically anti-choice, McCollum has also made headlines for accepting campaign contributions from industries he's regulated. Democrats have a chance to win back the governorship after a decade of Republican rule, and recent polling shows this is an extremely close race, putting Alex within striking distance to win the race for governor in this crucial battleground state. But Republicans, led by Jeb Bush, will do whatever it takes to hold on to the governor's mansion. Alex needs your immediate help to build a $20 million campaign war chest to overcome McCollum's special-interest money.
	Click here to make a direct and immediate contribution to Alex Sink today, and 100 percent of your gift will go directly to her campaign.
These are tough races - but all have the potential for Democratic victories, if our candidates have the support they need. Thank you very much for all you're doing to rebuild a progressive America. Warmest regards, Ellen R. Malcolm President