Saint Paul, Minn. (July 17, 2024) – Today, Women Winning, Minnesota’s largest women’s political organization, announced the first slate of local and State House endorsements for office across Minnesota in 2024.
“State and local offices continue to be the bread and butter of maintaining pro-choice policies and access to abortion care and comprehensive sex education in Minnesota. Our lives are most directly impacted by our local governance, and having elected leaders that will stand up for Minnesotans at every level of government is crucial for our society,” said Britta Moen, Women Winning Political Director. “Women Winning is proud to endorse this slate of candidates for School Boards, City Councils, Mayor, County Boards, and the State House, who will be champions for gender equity and Reproductive Freedom throughout the state of Minnesota.”
Women Winning is proud to endorse 18 pro-choice champions running for local offices across Minnesota and the Minnesota State House:
- Corenia Smith – Columbia Heights School Board At-Large
- *Michelle Pettway – Columbia Heights School Board At-Large
- *Mary Granlund – Columbia Heights School Board At-Large
- Lara Bergman – Minneapolis School Board District 6
- *Lori Saroya – Blaine City Council Ward 1
- *Cara Schulz – Burnsville City Council At-Large
- Laurel Deneen – Columbia Heights City Council At-Large
- *Nikki Villavicencio – Maplewood City Council At-Large
- Sarah Starling – Waite Park City Council At-Large
- *Amáda Márquez Simula – Columbia Heights Mayor
- Betsy O’Berry – Anoka County Board District 1
- *Mandy Meisner – Anoka County Board District 4
- *Julie Jeppson – Anoka County Board District 6
- *Debbie Goettel – Hennepin County Board District 5
- Tara Jebens-Singh – Ramsey County Board District 1
- Kelly Miller – Ramsey County Board District 7
- *Ashley Grimm – St. Louis County Board District 3
- Laurie Wolfe – Minnesota State House HD37A
*incumbent
Women Winning has been working for more than 40 years to elect pro-choice women to all levels of public office, from park board to President of the United States. In that time, Women Winning has raised and contributed millions of dollars to campaigns, endorsed thousands of candidates, and has more than tripled the number of pro-choice women elected officials in Minnesota. The organization’s targeted endorsement program centers on competitive districts for pro-choice candidates with the goal of electing a truly representative government and creating a more equitable Minnesota.
Women Winning will make additional endorsements in 2024 and will continue organizing to ensure reproductive rights are protected by electing pro-choice women up and down the ballot.
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About Women Winning
Women Winning was established in 1982 by a multi-partisan group of 25 women determined to increase the number of pro-choice women in public office. With more than 19,000 statewide members, Women Winning is Minnesota’s largest women’s political organization.
Women Winning’s mission is to recruit, train, and elect pro-choice women to all levels of public office. The organization runs a smart, strategic, and targeted political program focused on competitive districts for pro-choice women candidates with the goal of increasing the number of pro-choice women serving in public office. Women Winning offers robust, formal training, mentorship, and support from the time a pro-choice woman first considers a run for office to election day.
