Markowitz Gets Big Endorsment In VT Governor Race

12/15/2009

Emily's List Endorses Current Secretary Of State

The nation's largest political organization devoted to electing women to public office Tuesday

threw its support behind Deb Markowitz for governor of Vermont.Emily's List is a well-known

pro-choice political action committee that for the last two decades has tried to elect women

candidates all over the nation. Monday's endorsement of Markowitz is a bit of a surprise

because it comes so early -- and because there is another woman running in the five-way

Democratic primary for governor.Monday, the president of Emily's List said they liked

Markowitz's record as secretary of state, saying she's promoted transparency and good

citizenship.A former Vermont governor said it's a big deal. "Emily's List doesn't just endorse any

woman. They scrutinize the campaign. The basic question they ask is, can she win? If they think

yes, they go all out to help that candidate win, raising money and providing expert advice," said

former Vermont Gov. Madeliene Kunn. The other woman in the Democratic primary, state Sen.

Susan Bartlett, would disagree. Bartlett said the race would be decided by Vermonters, not "big

out-of-state special interest groups. Vermont voters will be more influenced by ideas and

experienced leadership

than out-of-state donations by single-issue groups."