EMILY’s List endorses Duckworth; not waiting for Kelly, Zopp

WASHINGTON — EMILY’s List on Thursday endorsed Illinois Senate hopeful Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., not waiting to see if potential rivals Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., or Chicago Urban League chief Andrea Zopp jump in the Democratic primary.

EMILY’s List, which brings a formidable fundraising operation and other assistance to its candidates, backs viable Democratic females who support abortion rights. Duckworth, who is already in the race, is seeking to become the Democratic nominee to run against Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., in 2016.

The organization will be fundraising for Duckworth online, in the mail and through events.A wounded Iraq war vet, “Tammy Duckworth bravely answered the call to serve in the military over a decade ago, and she hasn’t let anything stop her from fighting for Americans since,” said EMILY’s List president Stephanie Schriock in a statement.“Tammy is a champion for Illinois’ middle class, women, and members of the military with an unwavering commitment to promoting workplace policies that give all working families a fair shot. The EMILY’s List community is thrilled to endorse Tammy Duckworth’s campaign for Senate and will stand with her every step of the way.”

Kelly has been mulling a Senate run for several months. Zopp, the president and CEO of Chicago Urban League and an appointee of Mayor Rahm Emanuel to the Chicago School Board, is also considering a bid.

Zopp told WMAQ NBC 5 Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern, “I think I can really bring something to the race that is unique to my background. And so that’s really what’s driving my focus on whether or not I should run.”