Political Editor Savannah Witt
Published May 21, 2026
EMILYs List endorsed candidates won four Democratic primaries on May 20, 2026, the busiest night of the midterm cycle when voters went to the polls in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The victories advance the group's push to elect pro-choice women in key states ahead of November contests.
Long Record of Electing Women Sets Stage for 2026
Founded in 1985 by Ellen Malcolm, EMILYs List has raised nearly $950 million and helped elect 194 Democratic pro-choice women to the U.S. House, 29 to the Senate, 22 governors and more than 1,600 women to state and local office. More than 40 percent of those congressional winners have been women of color.
The organization now directs resources through its $15 million State Power Plan in nine states and its Mission Majority initiative to expand the House battlefield. President Jessica Mackler oversees the strategy that pairs early money with targeted endorsements.
Recent Endorsements Yield Victories in Multiple States
On May 20, EMILYs List marked wins for several endorsed candidates in the six-state primary day. The group had already congratulated state Rep. Allison Russo and Kristina Knickerbocker after their Ohio primary successes two weeks earlier. In Georgia, the organization endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor and state Rep. Tanya Miller for attorney general; Miller also received the group's 2026 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star designation.
Other 2026 endorsements include Nicole Cannizzaro for Nevada attorney general and nine incumbent Democratic congresswomen seeking reelection, among them Reps. Janelle Bynum, Laura Gillen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Jahana Hayes, Susie Lee and Kristen McDonald Rivet.
Historical Wins and Forward Targets Show Scale of Effort
EMILYs List has a pattern of issuing congratulations after primary wins by endorsed candidates. In June 2025 the group celebrated four Virginia House of Delegates victories by Elizabeth Guzmán, Lily Franklin, Jessica Anderson and Kimberly Pope Adams. Earlier this year it congratulated Analilia Mejía on her New Jersey special election win.
| Office Level | Women Elected |
|---|
| U.S. House | 194 |
| U.S. Senate | 29 |
| Governor | 22 |
| State and Local | 1,600+ |
These numbers reflect the cumulative impact of the group's early-money model. In the current cycle the focus remains on flipping competitive seats and building Democratic power in targeted states.
Democrats showed sustained turnout in the May 20 primaries, with voters citing concerns over gas prices, affordability and the war in Iran. The next decision point arrives in the June 16 Georgia runoff between Republican gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Rick Jackson, who will face Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.
