A leading political action committee for pro-choice Democratic women has endorsed Monica Vernon in Iowa’s first Congressional district. EMILY’s List announced their support today in a statement I’ve posted after the jump. The PAC didn’t endorse any of the three women who sought the IA-01 nomination in 2014, but donated $10,000 and bundled another $233,283 to Staci Appel’s campaign in IA-03.

Vernon finished second in the 2014 primary and is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination this cycle. However, she may not be the only pro-choice woman in this race. Former State Senator Swati Dandekar, who finished third in last year’s primary, is considering another Congressional bid.

Please share any comments about the IA-01 campaign in this thread.

From a March 27 Vernon for Congress press release:

EMILY’S List Endorses Monica Vernon for Congress

CEDAR RAPIDS – EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has endorsed Monica Vernon in the First Congressional District Democratic Primary in Iowa.

“Monica Vernon is a dedicated public servant, small businesswoman, and mother of three who has what it takes to fight for Iowa women and families in Washington,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “She is committed to helping create jobs and championing commonsense policies like equal pay for women that give working families a fair shot. The EMILY’s List community – now more than three million members strong – is thrilled to endorse Monica’s strong campaign to represent Iowa’s First District in Congress.”

EMILY’s List has raised over $400 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates since its founding in 1985, making it the nation’s largest resource for women in politics and one of the most successful political action committees in the country. Throughout its 30 year history, the organization has recruited and trained over 9,000 women to run, worked to elect 110 pro-choice Democratic women to the House, 19 to the Senate, 11 governors, and over 700 women to state and local office. EMILY’s List has also helped elect every single Latina, African American, and Asian American Democratic Congresswoman currently serving.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of EMILY’s List, a driving force for change across the country,” said Monica Vernon.  “As someone who started a small business at our kitchen table – while raising three daughters – this endorsement means so much.  We continue to meet with Iowans every day who want fundamental change in Washington – a Congress that works for the middle class, not the special interests.  I look forward to continuing the conversation across Iowa, as we build a strong grassroots campaign to do just that.”