Dear Lucas,
Batter up! Between special elections in New York, California and Nevada -- all with strong, pro-choice Democratic women in the field -- and early Republican attacks in Missouri, the election season is officially in full swing.
Voters' remorse is a theme that has emerged in 2011's specials -- and nowhere is this trend more apparent than in Wisconsin, where six Republican state senators are being targeted with recall campaigns in an effort to return control of the legislature to Democrats and put the brakes on GOP Gov. Scott Walker's appalling anti-family agenda.
Five of the six Democratic challengers in the Wisconsin recall election are women, and EMILY's List is supporting all five of them. Together we can send a powerful message to Republicans across the country: stop your relentless war on women and families.
Take a look at our one-stop shop for information about the Wisconsin elections, and contribute to Wisconsin WOMEN VOTE! Together we can help respond to the attack ads already airing against Nancy Nusbaum, Sandy Pasch, Shelly Moore, Jessica King, and Jennifer Shilling, courtesy of the right-wing Club for Growth, and reach the voters needed to win this election and reverse the tide in Wisconsin.
In addition to these efforts in Wisconsin, EMILY's List is working hard around the country to support our Democratic women incumbents, boost challengers, and encourage grassroots activism. I hope that you enjoy the latest News from the Field -- and as you do so, find your own way to get involved!
Sincerely,
Amy K. Dacey
Executive Director
Rove's big PAC attack on McCaskill
American Crossroads, Karl Rove's billionaire-funded right-wing super PAC, is on the air and on the ground in Missouri with a full-scale attack on Sen. Claire McCaskill.
The group's first strike against Claire includes a significant radio ad buy in major markets, complemented by an internet campaign and a ground offensive headed by a veteran GOP operative. The group says McCaskill is one of their top targets in 2012.
Luckily, there's an antidote to this early and vicious attack: you. By joining forces with EMILY's List's Senate Protection Project, you can send a clear message to Karl Rove and his billionaire friends -- and help Claire McCaskill respond quickly and decisively to the distortions already buzzing around the Show-Me State.
Karl Rove may have hotel, construction, and media magnates in his corner, but Claire has us. Click here to help Claire McCaskill fight back against American Crossroads and the Tea Party activists vowing to defeat her.
What the Wisconsin recall elections are really about
Tens of thousands of protesters rallied together to demand that Governor Scott Walker and his Republican cronies stop attacking their rights and instead focus on the priorities of Wisconsin families. And in 5 of 6 recall races, progressive, power-house women are running to replace these anti-women and anti-worker senators, and to return control of the Wisconsin Senate to the Democrats. But did you know that these recall elections have absolutely nothing to do with collective bargaining rights, education, job creation, or the ability to provide for your family? That's right -- these elections are about abortion...at least according to Wisconsin Right to Life. This group is telling its members "No matter what you hear about the nine State Senate recall elections that will take place on August 9 and August 16, it's really about the rights of the unborn."
Click here to keep reading about anti-choice activities in Wisconsin.
News from the (ball) field: Women members "Beat the Press"
In a striking metaphor for their work in the U.S. House, the women in Congress left nothing on the field during their annual charity softball game benefiting the Young Survival Coalition, a breast cancer charity.
This year's contest, a triumph over the women of the DC press corps, began with a special appearance by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who threw out the first pitch. You can catch the highlights -- including photos of the game, which pitcher Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and the game's MVP Cong. Debbie Wasserman Schultz dedicated to recovering Cong. Gabby Giffords -- on the EMILY's List blog.
Aloha, Mazie!
Maintaining our Democratic Senate majority depends on holding Democratic seats like the one being vacated by retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka -- that's why we've moved quickly to endorse our alum, current Cong. Mazie Hirono, who if elected would be the country's first Asian-American woman senator and the chamber's only woman of color. An immigrant who learned English in Hawaii's public schools, Mazie is a champion of strong public education -- particularly pre-K programs -- and a forceful opponent of the GOP's anti-woman, anti-family agenda.
We need Mazie's progressive leadership in the Senate -- but with both competitive primary and general election contests ahead (possibly against two-term GOP Governor Linda Lingle), she's counting on our early and strong support. Click here to support Mazie Hirono's historic Senate run!
Why Wisconsin matters: Stephanie Schriock chats with Momocrats
EMILY's President Stephanie Schriock recently joined the women of Momocrats -- the online community created for and by Democratic moms around the country -- for a live chat about the upcoming recall election in Wisconsin.
Schriock discussed both the historical importance of the election and the impact the recall could have on 2012 contests. As noted above, the recall features no fewer than five pro-choice Democratic women -- all strong challengers to Republican state senators who supported GOP Gov. Scott Walker's plan to strip state workers of their collective bargaining rights and dismantle the state's public schools.