Governor Kunin Endorses Deb for Governor; EMILY's List picks Deb for VT

BURLINGTON―Former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin endorsed Secretary of State Deb Markowitz on the same day EMILY's List, the nation’s largest financial resource for women candidates,  announced their support for Markowitz's gubernatorial bid.

“Madeleine Kunin is a pioneer for women in public service and led Vermont through critical issues like health care, education and job creation. I am honored to have her support,” Markowitz said. “Gov. Kunin's support will be invaluable to our campaign.  When I am governor, her counsel will help me make the decisions that will create jobs in our state and protect the things that make us special.”

Kunin made the announcement from Union Station in Burlington, site of her first successful campaign headquarters and the future headquarters of Deb for Vermont. The campaign also released a “web-endorsement” from Kunin which can be viewed on Markowitz's website www.debforvermont.com.

“In 1985, I became Vermont's first female governor. I know now that we need a second,” Kunin said. “We need a new vision for Vermont. We need someone to look at the challenges we face with a fresh set of eyes. Someone that will listen to all sides, but also has the executive experience to implement tough decisions. We need a governor that will have the imagination to do things differently in Montpelier to improve our economy. That is why today, I'm endorsing Deb Markowitz for Governor.”
 
Both endorsements come nearly a year before the election and will mean a major resource boost for the campaign. It is also the first EMILY's List endorsement of any gubernatorial candidate in Vermont history.

Kunin was the first woman governor in Vermont history and was a founding member of Emily's List in 1985.

In the 2007-2008 cycle, EMILY’s List raised more than $43 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With more than 100,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 80 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 15 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices.

For more information on EMILY'S List contact: 
Matt Burgess     
mburgess@emilyslist.org
Office:  (202) 326-1400