There are only three Democratic women governors in the country. Now, EMILY’s List, one of the most influential political groups in the country, wants to make Vermont’s Sue Minter the fourth. And they have lots of money to help make it happen.
The organization has more than three million members nationwide, and its mission is relatively straightforward.
“We support pro-choice Democratic women up and down the ballot,” says EMILY’s List communications director Marcy Stech.
Stech says one of those Democratic women is former Waterbury representative Sue Minter, one of two candidates running in her party’s gubernatorial primary.
“She’s a mom, she’s someone who’s part of the community and understands that women in Vermont and in her community really need someone who’s going to fight for them and give them a fair shot to get ahead,” Stech says.
EMILY’s List announced its endorsement of Minter on Monday. The news, first reported by VTDigger, is a big deal for Minter’s campaign, not least because of the financial resources it will likely entail. EMILY’s List spent more than $40 million on elections nationwide during the last election cycle, and pumped six-figure sums into some female candidates’ campaigns.
"She's a mom, she's someone who's part of the community and understands that women in Vermont and in her community really need someone who's going to fight for them and give them a fair shot to get ahead." — EMILY's List communications director Marcy Stech
Stech won’t say how much the group is planning to invest in Minter’s candidacy. But the money could help erase whatever financial advantage her rival in the Democratic primary has amassed.
Former Windsor County Sen. Matt Dunne posted early fundraising totals of more than $100,000 last July. Minter didn’t announce her candidacy until September.
“So my guess at this point is Matt Dunne probably does have a lead in terms of fundraising over Sue Minter,” says Eric Davis, professor emeritus of political science at Middlebury College.
Davis says EMILY’s List will be able to provide support and guidance on how to organize and run a campaign, “and give her some of the resources she needs to run a field operation, to buy advertising, and do the other things she needs to do as the date of the primary gets closer.”
Ruth McBain, communications director for the Dunne campaign, says that Dunne’s campaign platform overlaps perfectly with issues of importance to EMILY’s List.
“In terms of policy issues, such as supporting paid family leave and a woman’s right to choose, Matt and Sue see eye-to-eye,” McBain says. “Matt supports the mission of getting more women involved in politics.”
"Our country will be best represented when we have balance in gender and diversity, to reflect the diversity of our country." — Former Transportation Secretary Sue Minter
Minter says the endorsement speaks to the momentum her campaign is generating. She says she isn’t running for governor because she’s woman.
“I’m running because I am the most qualified to be the next governor of this great state,” Minter says.
But Minter says it’s time to rectify the gender imbalance in politics in Vermont and the country.
“Our country will be best represented when we have balance in gender and diversity, to reflect the diversity of our country,” Minter says.
Former Wardsboro Rep. John Moran and former Windham County Sen. Peter Galbraith also are considering running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
