EMILY's List Endorses Melissa Bean for Illinois's 8th Congressional District

Washington, DC -- EMILY's List, the largest financial resource for women running for elected office, today announced its support for business leader Melissa Bean for Congress in Illinois's 8th congressional district.

With two decades of experience as a businesswoman and active community member, Melissa Bean understands the needs of people who are working hard to support their families and communities. In Congress, Melissa Bean will work to encourage economic development and job growth in the 8th district while protecting its environment and unique quality of life.

"Melissa Bean has focused on the real priorities facing the people of the 8th district, drawing strong support in her race for Congress," said Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY's List. "Melissa Bean understands what working families need. She'll be an active, vocal advocate for the 8th district in Congress."

Melissa Bean's practical experience as a small business owner and working mother uniquely qualify her to represent this district in Congress. She will draw on her proven ability to get things done when tackling important issues like fiscal responsibility, access to affordable health care, and providing help to small and medium-sized businesses.

"I am pleased and grateful to receive the endorsement of EMILY's List. Their support represents a powerful statement about the strength and momentum of our campaign. This endorsement clearly indicates that we are on track to build the grassroots support and financial resources to defeat Phil Crane and give our families the kind of responsive, commonsense leadership they deserve."

In its 19-year history, EMILY's List has grown to over 90,000 members nationwide who have helped elect seven women governors, 11 women to the United States Senate and 56 women to the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 2002 elections, EMILY's List, which then had almost 73,000 members, contributed nearly $9.7 million to pro-choice Democratic women candidates; members contributed $23 million to fund EMILY's List operations and political program, including the nationwide WOMEN VOTE! project to mobilize women voters on behalf of Democrats.