WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Elect Democratic Women (EDW) is announcing their first round of candidate endorsements for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2024 cycle. The endorsed candidates include Kirsten Engel (AZ-06), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Liz Whitmer Gereghty (NY-17), Michelle Vallejo (TX-15), and Joanna Weiss (CA-47).
“Elect Democratic Women’s first priority is to elect more pro-choice women to Congress so that our country’s leaders better reflect the people they serve. We are proud to endorse Kirsten, Laura, Liz, Michelle, and Joanna to continue that mission,” said Elect Democratic Women Chair, Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL). “It is critical that we take back the House majority and we know that the path to the majority runs through each of their districts. We also know that all five candidates will be fierce advocates for women and their families, and will fight to protect a woman’s right to choose in every state in the nation. We look forward to supporting their campaigns and serving alongside them in the 119th Congress.”
Kirsten Engel is running for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, the seat currently held by Rep. Juan Ciscomani. She is a mom, an environmental attorney, and a former state Legislator. Kirsten has been a tireless advocate for protecting women’s reproductive freedom, increasing public school funding, and for safeguarding Arizona’s natural resources.
Laura Friedman is running for California’s 30th Congressional District, the open seat currently held by Rep. Adam Schiff. She is a state Assemblymember, the former Mayor of Glendale, and a community activist. Laura has authored legislation to increase affordable housing in her community and to combat climate change.
Liz Whitmer Gereghty is running for New York’s 17th Congressional District, the seat currently held by Rep. Mike Lawler. She has called the Hudson Valley home for 20 years where she owned a small business and served on her local school board. Liz is running for Congress to make her community more affordable for working families, support small businesses, and protect women’s right to choose.
Michelle Vallejo is running for Texas’ 15th Congressional District, the seat currently held by Rep. Monica De La Cruz. She is the daughter of immigrants, and the owner of a thriving local flea market that serves thousands of people in her community and supports local entrepreneurs. Michelle is running for Congress to increase access to health care, support small businesses, and ensure our veterans are getting the resources they need.
Joanna Weiss is running for California’s 47th Congressional District, the open seat currently held by Rep. Katie Porter. An Orange County native, she is the founder of Women for American Values and Ethics, a working mom, and an attorney. Joanna is passionate about serving women, seniors, and students through pro-bono legal work. She is running for Congress to fight for women’s reproductive rights, protect Social Security and Medicare, and address climate change.
Since it was founded in 2018, EDW has raised over $18.5M and helped provide over 250 campaigns the support and infrastructure needed to run winning races. In the 2022 cycle alone, EDW endorsed 102 women, protected 18 Frontline House members, and welcomed 17 Freshmen women to the House.
This cycle, EDW plans to break their own records to further increase the number of pro-choice democratic women in Congress by targeting their resources toward races where it is most needed. EDW will work to protect pro-choice Democratic women in both the House and the Senate, hold open Democratic seats and flip seats held by vulnerable Republicans by supporting pro-choice Democratic woman candidates.
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Elect Democratic Women was formed in 2018 by Democratic members of Congress with the purpose of electing more pro-choice Democratic women to Congress and higher office. We believe that democracy is best served by a diverse Congress that reflects the people they represent.