National Organization for Women endorses Donna Edwards

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/donna-edwards-wins-over-another-womens-group-in-senate-bid/2015/12/15/334e56de-a2c9-11e5-ad3f-991ce3374e23_story.html

Version 0 of 1.

The National Organization for Women’s political action committee has endorsed Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D-Md.) in a tough primary fight for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D).

“Barbara Mikulski may be retiring, but Maryland still needs a Senator with a strong record of fighting for women and families in Washington,” NOW president Terry O’Neill said in a statement.

Women’s groups and issues have played a major role in the campaign between Edwards and fellow Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen. Their first debate was a NOW forum. Edwards has argued that as a black woman, she would not just continue Mikulski’s legacy but bring much-needed diversity to the Senate.

Mikulski is the longest-serving woman in Congress and the dean of women in the Senate.

Edwards also has the support of Emily’s List, which has put $1 million into the campaign. Van Hollen’s campaign has disparaged that Democratic women’s organization as a “dark money” interloper. In turn, Emily’s List has accused Van Hollen of illegally targeting its donors.

NOW is not traditionally as big a player in campaigns as Emily’s List. The group spent only a little over $100,000 in the 2014 elections. However the group claims more than 500,000 members nationwide.

Van Hollen has touted his record on women’s issues and highlighted support from women such as former lieutenant governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) and Maryland state Sen. Joanne Benson have been campaigning on Van Hollen’s behalf. The NOW chapter in his home base of Montgomery County condemned their own group’s endorsement.

“NOW members in Montgomery County and throughout the state who support Congressman Chris Van Hollen will be unhappy with this decision,” local chapter Co-Presidents Holly Joseph and Jeannette Feldner said in a statement. They said that the state had recommended that NOW not endorse at all because of a split among members between the two candidates. “We are very disappointed,” they wrote.

Edwards needs outside support more than Van Hollen, who has raised far more money and is ahead in the latest polling.