Saint Paul, Minn. – April 12, 2011 – Women Winning – whose mission is to encourage, promote and support pro-choice women’s leadership in all political parties and levels of public office – congratulates Mary Jo McGuire on her win in the special election for Senate in District 66 which includes Falcon Heights and part of Saint Paul.

“I would not have won this campaign without the early and strong support of womenwinning,” said Mary Jo McGuire.  Women Winning endorsed McGuire immediately after she filed for office and helped the campaign find experienced field staff, assisted in securing the endorsements of electeds, planned a Women for Mary Jo fundraiser and hosted phone banks at its offices.

“womenwinning was proud to support Mary Jo McGuire and played a crucial role in her victory, which ensured a strong pro-choice woman would continue to represent Senate District 66,” said Sarah Taylor-Nanista, Executive Director of Women Winning.

Women Winning is two for two in special elections so far this year.  Fresh off a victory in 5B on the Iron Range, where Carly Melin won the special election for Minnesota House, Women Winning adds McGuire to its list of endorsed pro-choice women elected to the state legislature in 2011.  McGuire will join Representative Melin at the Capitol in Saint Paul for the remainder of the 2011-2012 biennium.

About Women Winning

Women Winning (formerly Minnesota Women’s Campaign Fund) is ready to expand its development operations and recruit and endorse more women candidates in Minnesota in 2012.  Women Winning’s endorsement comes with significant power.  Last year alone, Women Winning raised more than $200,000 in direct contributions to its endorsed candidates and frequently contributes the maximum amount directly to their campaigns.  Moving into the 2012 election cycle, Women Winning is poised to help elect more pro-choice women than ever before.

Women Winning was established in 1982 by 25 non-partisan pro-choice women who wanted to increase the number of women in public office. Twenty-nine years later, Women Winning is the largest and most influential statewide women’s PAC. Since 1982, it has given over one million dollars to more than 2000 women’s campaigns through direct contributions and support for candidate training and recruitment. To learn more about Women Winning, go to www.womenwinning.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.