With the election of Kari Dziedzic and Susan Allen to the legislature, Women Winning is five for five in legislative special elections Saint Paul, Minn. – January 10, 2012 – 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 Susan Allen on her victory in 61B (South Minneapolis including the Powderhorn Park and Bryant Neighborhoods) in the race for State Representative and Kari Dziedzic on her victory in SD59 (NE and SE Minneapolis) in the race for State Senate.  Susan emerged with 55.96% of the vote and Kari with 79.41% in Tuesday’s special elections.

“Women Winning has stood by my campaign since the beginning working to raise money and rally supporters helping me through a difficult primary and sticking by my campaign until the end,” said Kari Dziedzic.  Women Winning endorsed Dziedzic immediately after she filed for office and fundraised and door knocked for the campaign.

“Women Winning was there every step of the way helping my campaign through a challenging endorsement process, then through the primary and finally through the special election,” said Susan Allen.  “I would not have won this race without the guidance and support of Women Winning.”  Women Winning endorsed Allen immediately after she filed for office, helped place key staff on her campaign, assisted with her efforts at the DFL endorsing convention, hosted door knocks and phone banks, and hosted a Women for Susan fundraiser.

“Women Winning is thrilled to see Susan and Kari elected to the State House and Senate,” said Susy Bates, Political Director of Women Winning.  “The election of five women to the legislature this past year is a signal of what this next year will bring as we work to make up ground women lost in the 2010 elections and then some.”

Women Winning is five for five in legislative special elections in 2011-2012 having helped elect Senator Chris Eaton, Senator Mary Jo McGuire and Representative Carly Melin to the legislature this past year.  Women Winning now adds Representative-elect Susan Allen and Senator-elect Kari Dziedzic to its list of special election wins.  All five women legislators will serve during the 2012 legislative session which will convene on January 24, 2012.

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 nearly 2,000 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.