EMILY’s List endorses trio of Dems

The deep-pocketed EMILY’s List is endorsing a trio of candidates running in open-seat House races: Attorney Aimee Belgard (D) in New Jersey, Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence (D) in Michigan, and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice (D) in New York.

{mosads}Belgard and Rice are running in competitive seats — Belgard for retiring Rep. Jon Runyan’s (R-N.J.) seat and Rice for retiring Rep. Carolyn McCarthy’s (D-N.Y.) — and are the favorites for the Democratic nomination.

Lawrence is running for a heavily Democratic Detroit-based seat Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is giving up to run for the Senate, and faces a crowded field.

“These three impressive leaders are stepping up to the plate to run for open congressional seats at a time when our country needs women’s leadership more than ever,” said EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock.

“Aimee Belgard, Brenda Lawrence, and Kathleen Rice are accomplished public servants with proven records of fighting for women and families, and the EMILY’s List community — now more than three million members strong — is thrilled to help send these fantastic candidates to Washington and stand up to the radical anti-woman Republican agenda.”

The deep-pocketed group backs Democratic women who support abortion rights, and is a major financial player in House races.