Saint Paul, Minn. – Today womenwinning, Minnesota’s largest resource for pro-choice women in politics, announced its endorsement of Mayor Betsy Hodges in the 2017 Minneapolis Mayoral Race.

“We are excited to endorse Betsy Hodges as the strongest and most qualified candidate in the 2017 race for Minneapolis Mayor,” said Lauren Beecham, womenwinning executive director. “As an advocate for the citizens of Minneapolis for more than a decade, we are confident Mayor Hodges has a strong path to victory and will continue to be a dedicated leader for Minneapolis.”

Mayor Hodges is running against five other candidates but already has secured the strong financial and grassroots backing necessary to succeed, particularly for a ranked-choice election. She has outlined a clear vision for a second term that not only strengthens pro-choice women’s representation but prioritizes important issues for the community as a whole.

“I’m grateful to have earned the endorsement of an organization of women dedicated to electing other women,” said Mayor Hodges.  “At a time when progressive women’s leadership is needed more than ever, I’m proud to be a part of womenwinning‘s mission to elect pro-choice women at all levels of government, particularly at a time when trends at the national level seem to be rolling back so many of the gains we’ve made.”

womenwinning’s endorsement not only provides significant operational support but also campaign momentum which can be critical in tight races. In 2013, its early endorsement of Hodges was critical in returning a pro-choice woman to the Minneapolis Mayor’s office for the first time since Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton.

“Strong women’s leadership is critical in our current political environment,” said Beecham. “Particularly with the national dynamics, Mayor Hodges has already shown that she is a strong leader under pressure and will defend our values.”

Founded in 1982, womenwinning has been working for 35 years to elect more pro-choice women to every level of office, from Park Board to President. In that time, the number of women state legislators, county commissioners, and mayors has more than doubled in Minnesota. Its endorsement comes with strategic campaign guidance, training, and financial and grassroots support.

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About womenwinning

womenwinning‘s mission is to encourage, promote, support, and elect pro-choice women of all political parties to all levels of public office. womenwinning runs a smart, strategic and targeted political program focused on districts deemed winnable for pro-choice women candidates with the goal of increasing the number of women serving in public office.

Each election cycle womenwinning’s strong wins build upon the success of the womenwinning Statewide Candidate Recruitment & Development Program.  womenwinning was established in 1982 by 25 multi-partisan, pro-choice women who wanted to increase the number of women in public office. Thirty-five years later, womenwinning is the largest and most influential statewide women’s PAC in Minnesota having raised millions of dollars and supported thousands of women candidates.

To learn more about womenwinning, go to www.womenwinning.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.