Dear Lucas,
This year, we've seen some of the worst proposed legislation in my lifetime. The GOP's war on women has been waged on all fronts: along with their unbelievable attempt to redefine rape, Republicans have tried to strip women's access to health care, including essential procedures like breast cancer screenings. They've even tried to gut Medicare and defund Planned Parenthood.
Time and time again, women have raised their voices against these outrageous attacks on women and families. But right now, the U.S. Senate is our only line of defense against these attacks. Give immediately to help our EMILY's List candidates who will fight back against these outrageous attacks by the GOP. Every single dollar of your support is sent directly to the candidate's campaign.
The only way the GOP can pass its anti-woman, anti-family legislation is to knock down the pro-choice Democratic firewall in the Senate in 2012. And with half the Democratic women in the Senate up for re-election, the Republicans' path to a full majority on Capitol Hill runs right through EMILY's List candidates like Debbie Stabenow, Maria Cantwell, Claire McCaskill, and Shelley Berkley.
Make sure these women have all the resources they need to win -- and hold our Senate majority. Can you contribute today to make sure we keep our Senate firewall against the Republican anti-woman, anti-family agenda?
Thank you so much for being a part of the EMILY's List community -- we couldn't do this essential work without you.
Take care,
Stephanie Schriock
President
Claire McCaskill -- Missouri
Race Highlight: Missouri leans red in presidential elections, and national pundits agree that this race is nothing short of a pure toss-up.
Republicans are salivating at the chance to defeat this "fiercely independent" fighter, but Claire McCaskill never backs down. The tough-as-nails Claire upset an incumbent Republican in 2006 after a tight race -- but her first re-election campaign will be even harder, as Missouri leans more conservative during presidential election years. The GOP must win Missouri as part of their drive to take the Senate majority, and potential opponents include Sarah Steelman, a Palin-esque anti-choice extremist, and Cong. Todd Akin, who co-sponsored H.R. 3, which attempts to redefine rape. National pundits agree that this race is a toss-up -- and that's the kind of race Claire knows how to win.
Debbie Stabenow -- Michigan
Race Highlight: Republicans are actively recruiting self-funding candidates, hoping to buy their way to victory in this swing state.
A long-time EMILY's List favorite faces determined opposition from a wide array of potential tea party and self-funding opponents. Debbie Stabenow will face tough opposition in a state that trended red in 2010. From the founder of the anti-choice Michigan Family Forum, to a close Newt Gingrich ally and controversial GOP operative, a variety of right-wing figures are building potential campaigns, and Republicans are also actively recruiting self-funding candidates who could spend millions attacking Debbie. But Debbie stood up for choice in the health care and budget battles, and for Michigan families when the auto industry was in trouble. And now, with the GOP targeting this leader in the hope of winning a Senate majority, we need to stand up for her once again.
Shelley Berkley -- Nevada
Race Highlight: We've stood with her since her first campaign for Congress -- now she has a chance to take over a GOP seat and become the first-ever female senator from Nevada.
The scandal-forced retirement of GOP Sen. John Ensign could provide Democrats with their best chance to turn a red Senate seat blue in 2012 -- and Shelley Berkley is the woman for the job. Her Nevada roots run deep -- she put herself through law school as a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas -- and she's been described as "the hardest-working woman in politics," consistently fighting for seniors, veterans, and working families in her state. A leader on choice and equal pay issues, Shelley could become the first female senator in Nevada history -- if she can beat well-funded, unelected Republican Senator Dean Heller in what will be a marquee matchup in 2012. A win for Shelley here makes it much harder for Republicans to take the Senate, and they know it.
Maria Cantwell -- Washington
Race Highlight: Washington is a great state for pro-choice Democratic women, and we can't let the GOP change that in 2012.
This champion of technology and the environment must defend her seat in one of EMILY's List's key states. In 2010, Washington was home to one of the fiercest and most expensive contests in the nation. Now, Maria Cantwell -- a successful businesswoman and environmental leader described as a "rising political star" -- must navigate the same waters. Sarah Palin favorite and tea-party hero Clint Didier and a favorite of anti-choice organizations Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers are among the Republicans who could challenge Maria. We can protect this seat and shore up our Senate majority by helping Maria mount an aggressive campaign that can take on the GOP and right-wing outside groups.