EMILY's List Rallies Behind Arizona Representative

Ann Kirkpatrick is a current Arizona representative, but Kirkpatrick hopes she won’t be for much longer. Representative Kirkpatrick will be challenging Senator John McCain for his Senate seat next November. This is likely to be a difficult race. Arizona leans slightly Republican and John McCain is an incumbent who has held that Senate seat for five terms. However, the fact that the race is in a presidential election year makes it more competitive. More people will likely turn out to vote, making the race more up for grabs. Despite, Representative Kirkpatrick’s general support it would be difficult for her to secure the race. That was the case until EMILY’s List announced their support on Tuesday for Representative Kirkpatrick.

            EMILY’s List is a Political Action Committee that mainly focuses on getting more Democratic, pro-choice females elected to office (EMILY's List). EMILY’s List is backed by thousands of donors and is able to lend financial support to many candidates. Having EMILY’s List as a backer gives Representative Kirkpatrick a leg up in her campaign against Senator McCain. Support from EMILY’s List almost always boosts fundraising and provides access to more resources for candidates. In a statement from EMILY’s List, President Stephanie Schriock said that EMILY’s List was “excited to stand with Ann Kirkpatrick and to help her get the U.S. Senate working for women and families in Arizona and across the country” (Roll Call). In a race as close as this one will likely be, the support of EMILY’s List likely means Kirkpatrick will have the support of women. John McCain is also pro-life and does not support abortion rights, which EMILY’s List and Kirkpatrick will likely attack as the election gets nearer.

            The support of EMILY’s List comes with the support of many other interest groups. One key group that has yet to endorse Representative Kirkpatrick is Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. However, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has already spent a sizable amount of money against Senator McCain. They have already launched an ad campaign criticizing McCain and other Senators for supporting defunding Planned Parenthood. With Kirkpatrick now having support from EMILY’s List, it is only a matter of time before the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee endorses her race against Senator McCain.

            Why is this important? Why do political interest groups like EMILY’s List have so much influence in elections? This is a direct result of the Two Congresses. Members of Congress must represent their constituents and work as lawmakers. Yet, in recent years, members tend to spend more time campaigning for re-election than actually passing laws. The conflicting roles of lawmaking and representation have polarized Congress and made re-election a central focus in order to keep a party in control. As re-election became more important so did PACs like EMILY’s List. It’s a two way street. Candidates get the money and resources they need to get into office. Yet, interest groups are also able to push their own agendas. When Emily’s List chose to support Kirkpatrick they know that she will fight for pro-choice if elected because if she doesn’t, she won’t have the support of Emily’s List in the next election. The relationship between a candidate and a PAC is mutual; they both have something to gain from the relationship. As Congress becomes more polarized and candidates move further from the center, these interest groups seem to have more and more of a voice in Congress. It’s an ongoing cycle, and I cant help but wonder if the Framers ever predicted this would happen.

Roll Call

http://atr.rollcall.com/emilys-list-will-support-kirkpatrick-race-mccain/?dcz=

Arizona Central

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/azdc/2015/09/22/ann-kirkpatrick-emilys-list-senate-race/72602992/

EMILY's List

http://www.emilyslist.org/pages/about-us