State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) landed the endorsement of one of the country's most powerful women's political groups Tuesday in her bid to succeed Mark Kirk in Congress.
EMILY's List, a political force for pro-choice women candidates, announced that it will throw its significant financial and organizing support behind Hamos as she challenges former Democratic nominee Dan Seals and attorney Elliot Richardson for the Democratic nomination.
"Julie's record of advocating for Illinois women and families is second to none," Ellen R. Malcolm, president of the Washington, D.C.-based political action committee, said in a press release. "We need her in Congress to continue that fight."
"I am honored to be endorsed by EMILY's List," Hamos said in the press release. "Emily's List and its members' support is tremendously valuable as we move closer and closer to the February 2nd Democratic primary election."
EMILY's List claims more than 100,000 members nationwide, and in the last election cycle raised more than $43 million to support women candidates. The group's backing is no guarantee of victory, however. State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz lost the Democratic primary special election for Rahm Emanuel's Congressional seat despite support from Emily's List.
A host of Republicans are vying to keep the seat red, including state Rep. Beth Coulson, businessmen Dick Green and Bill Cadigan, attorney Jim Koch, and former Edgar Administration official Renee Thaler.
Kirk is leaving the 10th Congressional District seat he has held since 2001 to run for the U.S. Senate.
Read the whole release: