Emily's List on Friday endorsed Donna Shalala, who is running as a Democrat for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., Politico reports.
Shalala, who helped found Emily's List in 1985, is the former president of the University of Miami and the former Health and Human Services secretary, having served in the Clinton administration. She was president of the Clinton Foundation until March of last year.
According to Politico, Emily's List president, Stephanie Schriock, has already helped Shalala by pushing one of her primary opponents, former Judge Mary Barzee Flores, to challenge for a different Florida congressional seat, the one held by GOP Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. The organization is also supporting Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in her bid to represent the neighboring district held by Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a Republican.
"We're very excited by the strong slate of women candidates who we're supporting in South Florida, including Donna Shalala, Mary Barzee Flores, and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. These districts are critical in our fight to flip the House — and make no mistake, we plan to deliver a Democratic majority with newly elected women," said Emily's List vice president of communications Christina Reynolds.
In 2016, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton beat Republican President Donald Trump by almost 20 points in Ros-Lehtinen's district, and by almost 16 points in Curbelo's, making these top targets for Democrats to unseat Republicans. Trump won Diaz-Balart's district by only 2 points.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.