Saint Paul, Minn. (January 10, 2023) – Today, Women Winning, Minnesota’s largest women’s political organization, announced the endorsement of pro-choice champion Jen Schultz for Congress in Minnesota U.S. House District 8.
“After the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, women and birthing people lost their constitutionally protected right to receive abortion care across the country. It is critically important that Minnesotans elect Representatives to Congress that will fight to codify access to abortion into federal law in Washington, not just on behalf of Minnesotans, but for all Americans across the country who currently lack what should be constitutionally provided to them,” said Nevada Littlewolf, Executive Director of Women Winning. “Jen’s tireless work in the Minnesota House of Representatives to support Minnesotans receiving safe and accessible reproductive care has proven her a dedicated advocate for reproductive freedom, and we are thrilled to once again endorse her for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District.”
“Women Winning lives its mission of supporting pro-choice women when we run for office. In a moment when abortion rights and reproductive care are at unprecedented risk, the support of Women Winning is more critical than ever. I am thrilled to be endorsed by Women Winning as I take on anti-choice incumbent Pete Stauber in the 8th Congressional District,” said Schultz.
Through her own personal and public servant experiences, Jen Schultz knows firsthand the everyday concerns of the people in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. The injustice and unnecessary burdens put on working-class families just trying to put food on the table are what motivated her to focus her education and career on health care and economics. Now, Jen wants to use her experiences and education to help improve the lives of her fellow Minnesotans by running for congress. Jen grew up in a small town with her older sister and a single mother who raised two daughters while attending graduate school and working full time. Jen’s parents reunited when she was a young adult, six years before her father lost his battle with cancer. Jen’s parents’ struggles, strength, compassion, and perseverance shaped the woman she is today – hard-working, fair, dedicated, respectful, and grounded in her values and the belief that we can all do better when we help one another. Jen earned a PhD in health economics and paid for her education using student loans, scholarships, and by working multiple jobs that paid less than a minimum wage. Today she lives in Duluth with her husband and two sons, is a professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and is a former Minnesota State Legislator who served four successful terms representing her district and our great state of Minnesota.
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 pro-choice women’s 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 women candidates with the goal of electing a truly representative government and creating a more equitable Minnesota.
Women Winning will make additional federal 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.
