EMILY’S List Endorses Evelyn Farkas for Congress

Evelyn Farkas, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in NY CD-17 and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Obama, has been endorsed by EMILY’s List, a leading organization dedicated to supporting women candidates nationwide. EMILY’s list supports pro-choice women candidates to ensure that women’s perspectives are reflected in the halls of Congress.

“Evelyn Farkas has dedicated her career to serving and protecting the interests of the American people,” EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock said. “The daughter of two Hungarian refugees, Evelyn is committed to protecting and expanding the economic opportunities that allowed her family to achieve success. Her extensive experience with the Senate Armed Services Committee and as a Deputy As­sis­tant Sec­re­tary of De­fense under President Obama make her uniquely qualified to represent New York’s 17th Congressional District in Washington. Once elected, Evelyn will be a champion for New York’s women and working families, and we are proud to stand with her.”

The backing of EMILY’s List is the latest in a series of major endorsements for Farkas. Earlier this week, she announced the support of Elect Democratic Women, a group of sitting federal representatives that share the same mission. The succession of endorsements confirms Farkas’ postion as the only candidate in the race with federal legislative experience, garnering support from national leaders who want Rep. Nita Lowey’s seat to remain with a woman.

“EMILY’s List has a long track record of elevating the voices of women in government, and I am honored they have identified me as a worthy successor to the trailblazing Nita Lowey,” Farkas said. “I look forward to using my years of experience in our nation’s capital to deliver on our shared vision for a better, more equitable America, with greater representation at every level of government.”

Farkas has previously been endorsed by a host of senior U.S. policymakers, including Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, former Ambassadors Stuart Eizenstat and Daniel Shapiro, and Dr. Zeke Emanuel, a key architect of the Affordable Care Act. Other endorsements include NY State Sen. Tom Duane, former Sens. Carl Levin and Bob Graham, current Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Tom Malinowksi, former NARAL-Pro Choice NY and Planned Parenthood Federation of America Board Chair Jill Lafer, and progressive activists Rob Reiner and Jane Lynch.

Farkas was raised in Westchester and attended public schools there. For nearly three decades, she has represented the United States defending democracy and advancing human rights in the Defense Department and on the Senate Armed Services Committee staff. In addition to serving as executive director of the WMD Commission, she was a human rights officer in Bosnia and a professor at the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College. She has advised former
cabinet secretaries, representatives and senators, including Hillary Clinton.

New York's 17th Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives is located in the Lower Hudson Valley. It includes all of Rockland County and portions of central and northwestern Westchester County, including Chappaqua, Mt. Kisco, Ossining, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Tarrytown, White Plains, Cortlandt and Yorktown Heights. District residents interested in Farkas'
election campaign can visit evelynforny.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to learn more, volunteer or contribute.