EMILYs List
Pro-choice Democratic women candidates
The operation.
EMILYs List is a federal PAC founded in 1985 by Ellen Malcolm to recruit, train, and fund pro-choice Democratic women candidates for federal, state, and local office. The acronym stands for "Early Money Is Like Yeast" — a reference to the fundraising principle that early seed money helps a campaign rise. EMILYs List has helped elect more than 200 Democratic women to Congress and is one of the largest non-corporate PACs.
Major donors.
Notable races.
Sources.
Questions about EMILYs List.
What is EMILYs List?
EMILYs List is a federal political action committee founded in 1985 by Ellen Malcolm to recruit, train, and fund pro-choice Democratic women candidates for federal, state, and local office. The name is an acronym for "Early Money Is Like Yeast" — a fundraising principle about the importance of early seed money.
How many women has EMILYs List helped elect?
EMILYs List reports having helped elect more than 200 Democratic women to the US House and Senate, more than a dozen governors, and thousands of women to state and local office. Notable EMILYs List-backed senators include Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Tammy Baldwin, and Mazie Hirono.
How much does EMILYs List raise?
EMILYs List's federal PAC raises and spends roughly $40–60 million per cycle, with an additional affiliated super PAC, Women Vote!, handling larger independent-expenditure operations. Its donor base is primarily individual contributors — it is one of the largest non-corporate PACs by member count.