People in Ohio have been wondering over the last few months: when will Emily's List get involved in Ohio's Senate primary on Jennifer Brunner's behalf, and why haven't they already? Now, with just 18 days left until the primary election, the absence of an Emily's List endorsement has become awkward and disconcerting.
Has Jennifer earned an endorsement from Emily's List? Since winning the Secretary of State office, she has restored dignity to Ohio's election system. We remember the controversies and scandals in 2000 and 2004. The long lines. The voter intimidation and disenfranchisement. Jennifer fought to fix our elections. Early voting was instituted, easing long lines. Corrupt election boards were dismissed. Voting machines were examined and made more secure. The result? Smooth elections in 2008.
Is she nationally respected? She was presented with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. She's been endorsed by Darcy Burner, Gloria Steinem, and Caroline Kennedy. Democracy for America, the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority PAC, the Women's Campaign Forum, and the National Women's Political Caucus have all lent their support.
Is she a viable candidate? She has polled competitively against her opponent Lee Fisher, polling ahead of him some weeks, slightly behind him other weeks. The grassroots activists, the people who are willing to knock doors and make phone calls, support her. The blogging community is solidly in her corner.
Does Jennifer support women's rights? She supported the Lilly Ledbetter Act and equal pay for equal work. She supports the right to choose and fiercely opposed the Stupak Amendment during the health care debate. She supports marriage equality, which is an issue that is uniquely related to women's rights. Homophobia is rooted in misogyny -- how could an individual 'privileged' enough to be born a man let himself be treated like a female?
By all accounts, Jennifer is a fantastic candidate, and, its worth noting, the only female in the race. So why has Emily's list not endorsed? Either they're not paying attention, which would undermine their credibility, or they've got some sort of ulterior motive, which would effectively destroy their credibility. I've heard whispers that Emily's List is staying out of the race as a favor to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who has endorsed Brunner's opponent. The thinking here is that they're grateful to Strickland for helping to 'deliver' Ohio for Hillary in the '08 primary.
Regardless, it is time for some old school progressive activism. Emily's List's political director is Jonathan Parker. His email address is: jparker@emilyslist.org . Email him and ask him why his organization hasn't endorsed. Ask him what purpose their organization serves if not to elect Democratic women. Demand that they step to the plate like so many other feminist organizations and fight for a true progressive and a true feminist.