The Wish List (political organization)

Last updated

The Wish List is a political action committee devoted to electing pro-abortion rights, also called pro-choice, Republican women to the House of Representatives and Senate. The Wish List was founded in 1992. [1] The acronym "WISH" stands for Women In the Senate and House. The Wish List recruits candidates to run for federal office and state legislative offices. [2]

Contents

History

The Wish List was established in 1992 following an organizing effort in December, 1991, led by Lynn Shapiro who became the Executive Director. [3] Glenda Greenwald, who was president of the PAC, was among the women activists predicting that 1992 would be the Year of the Woman, and she argued that the GOP was not sufficiently funding women candidates. [4] The primary purpose was to specifically fund women Republican candidates. [5] Inspired by EMILY's List, a PAC supporting pro-abortion rights Democratic women, Wish claimed 1,600 members after its founding in 1992. [6] In 1994, Victoria Toensing, also a founder of the Wish List, claimed the group had grown to 2,000 members and stated that the PAC would only fund pro-abortion rights Republican women, and would not support anti-abortion Republican women. [7]

The PAC was present at the 1992 Republican National Convention, together with Republicans for Choice and the National Republican Coalition for Choice, and was addressed by then-Representative Olympia Snowe of Maine. [8] In the 1994 election cycle, The Wish List endorsed Kay Bailey Hutchison and Olympia Snowe for the Senate, and Susan Collins in her unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in Maine. [9] [3] Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison also served as an honorary board member of the organization. [10] The PAC was present at the 1996 Convention, again with Republicans for Choice, and a survey of Republican delegates at the 1996 Convention found that legal abortion was supported by 24% of the delegates. [11] In 2006, the Wish List supported three Republican women for US Senate, Jeanine Pirro in New York, Olympia Snowe in Maine, and Cynthia Thielen in Hawaii. [12] Although originally supporting exclusively women Republican candidates, the PAC supported Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign in 2008. [13]

The Wish List offers support for candidates by bundling contributions from their members. [2] They have hosted events in DC, being featured on C-SPAN, to promote their candidates. [14] The organization encourages members to donate to two of the eligible candidates during an election cycle. The organization claims to raise over $1 million per year from their supporters. [15] The PAC was among the largest in the US between 1995 and 1996, raising more than $1million for its endorsed candidates. [16] In 2004, the Wish List supported 11 Republican candidates for federal office. [17] However, by 2010, the PAC reported giving only $1,579 to federal candidates, and has reported no contributions to federal candidates since 2012. [18]

Views and Relationships

This committee is the Republican equivalent to EMILY's List, whose goal is to elect pro-abortion rights Democratic women. Susan B. Anthony List is the anti-abortion counterpart to this organization, whose goal is to assist anti-abortion, or what they describe as "pro-life," women candidates. [1] Research published by Political Research Quarterly found that contributors to EMILY's List typically espoused politically liberal and feminist views while contributors to the Wish List tended to express a libertarian rationale for supporting pro-abortion rights and women's rights movements. [15] The same study also explored political ideology among contributors of the Wish List and found that more than half self-identified as moderate, approximately a third as "somewhat conservative," and 1% as "very conservative." [15]

The Wish List maintained strong alliances with other moderate Republican groups, such as the Republican Majority for Choice, It's My Party Too, and Republicans For Choice. In 2010, the Wish List had officially joined with the Republican Majority for Choice. [19] In 2018, the Republican Majority for Choice ceased to be an active PAC. [20] The Wish List continues to be an active PAC. [21]

Members [22]

Senate

House

Governors

Other statewide offices

State Senate

Carolyn Allen, Arizona Barbara Allen, Kansas (No longer a Senator) Pat Vance, Pennsylvania
Toni Hellon, Arizona (No longer listed) Jean Kurtis Schodorf, Kansas (No longer a Senator; now a Democrat) Mary Jo White, Pennsylvania
Nancy Spence, Colorado Vicki Schmidt, Kansas (No Longer a Senator, elected to be insurance commissioner) June Gibbs, Rhode Island
Cathy Cook, Connecticut (No longer listed) Diane Allen, New Jersey Diane Snelling, Vermont
Judith Freedman, Connecticut Martha Bark, New Jersey (No longer a Senator) Wendy Wilton, Vermont (No longer listed)
Liane Sorenson, Delaware Sue Wilson Beffort, New Mexico Cheryl Pflug, Washington
Pamela Althoff, Illinois Patricia McGee, New York (No longer a Senator)
Christine Radogno, Illinois Jane Earll, Pennsylvania

State House

Gabrielle LeDoux, Alaska (No longer listed) Nancy Detert, Florida (No longer listed)Julie Brown, New Hampshire
Michele Reagan, Arizona Barbara Marumoto, Hawaii Patricia Dunlap, New Hampshire (No longer listed)
Lynn Daucher, California (No longer a Representative) Cynthia Thielen, Hawaii Stephanie Eaton, New Hampshire
Shirley Horton, California Jana Kemp, Idaho (No longer listed) Sheila Francoeur, New Hampshire
Penny Bacchiochi, Connecticut Suzanne Bassi, Illinois (no longer in office) Elizabeth Hager, New Hampshire
Toni Boucher, Connecticut Elizabeth Coulson, Illinois (no longer in office) Sandra Balomenos Keans, New Hampshire (No longer listed)
Ruth Fahrbach, Connecticut Carolyn Krause, Illinois (no longer in office) Charlotte Vandervalk, New Jersey
Livvy Floren, Connecticut Patricia Reid Lindner, Illinois (no longer in office) Nancy Calhoun, New York
Lile Gibbons, Connecticut Rosemary Mulligan, Illinois (no longer in office) Donna Ferrara, New York (No longer listed)
Sonya Googins, Connecticut Sandra Pihos, Illinois (no longer in office) Teresa Sayward, New York
DebraLee Hovey, Connecticut Vaneta Becker, Indiana (No longer listed) Dierdre Scozzafava, New York
Themis Klarides, Connecticut Phyllis Pond, Indiana Vicki Berger, Oregon
Claudia Powers, Connecticut Libby Swanson Jacobs, Iowa (No longer listed) Sue Cornell, Pennsylvania (No longer listed)
Pamela Ziegler Sawyer, Connecticut Susan Williams Gifford, Massachusetts Carole Rubley, Pennsylvania (No longer a Representative)
Lenny Winkler, Connecticut Shirley Gomes, Massachusetts (No longer a Representative) Carol Mumford, Rhode Island
Donna Stone, Delaware Karyn Polito, Massachusetts (currently Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts) Jodi Cutler, South Dakota
Nancy Wagner, Delaware Susan Pope, Massachusetts Joyce Errecart, Vermont
Donna Clark, Florida (No longer listed) Mary Rogeness, Massachusetts
Faye Culp, Florida Kathlyn Fares, Missouri

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kay Bailey Hutchison</span> American politician & diplomat (born 1943)

Kay Bailey Hutchison is an American attorney, television correspondent, politician, diplomat, and was the 22nd United States Permanent Representative to NATO from 2017 until 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she was a United States Senator from Texas from 1993 to 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympia Snowe</span> American politician (born 1947)

Olympia Jean Snowe is an American businesswoman and politician who was a United States Senator from Maine from 1995 to 2013. Snowe, a member of the Republican Party, became known for her ability to influence the outcome of close votes, including whether to end filibusters. In 2006, she was named one of America's Best Senators by Time magazine. Throughout her Senate career, she was considered one of the most moderate members of the chamber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMILY's List</span> American political organization

EMILY's List is an American political action committee (PAC) that aims to help elect Democratic female candidates in favor of abortion rights to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1985. The group's name is an acronym for "Early Money Is Like Yeast". Malcolm commented that "it makes the dough rise". The saying is a reference to a convention of political fundraising: that receiving many donations early in a race helps to attract subsequent donors. EMILY's List bundles contributions to the campaigns of Democratic women in favor of abortion rights running in targeted races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Michaud</span> American politician

Michael Herman Michaud is an American businessman and politician from Maine. Michaud served as the U.S. representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The primarily rural district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, Presque Isle, and Ellsworth. It is the largest Congressional district by area east of the Mississippi River.

A 527 organization or 527 group is a type of U.S. tax-exempt organization organized under Section 527 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. A 527 group is created primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democrats for Life of America</span> American political nonprofit organization

Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) is a 501(c)(4) American political advocacy nonprofit organization that seeks to elect anti-abortion Democrats and to encourage the Democratic Party to oppose euthanasia, capital punishment, and abortion. DFLA's position on abortion is in opposition to the current platform of the Democratic Party, which generally supports abortion rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kay Granger</span> American politician (born 1943)

Norvell Kay Granger is an American Republican politician from the U.S. state of Texas serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 12th congressional district since 1997. She has chaired the United States House Committee on Appropriations since 2023.

Republicans for Choice is an American political action committee (PAC) composed of members of the United States Republican Party who support abortion rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynthia Thielen</span> American politician

Cynthia Henry Thielen is an American politician who served as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives representing District 50, the Kailua and Kaneohe Bay areas of Oahu County. A Republican, she served in the state House of Representatives from 1990 until 2020. She served as minority floor leader from 1992 to 1997 and was the assistant minority leader at the time of her retirement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynn Jenkins</span> American politician (born 1963)

Lynn Haag Jenkins is an American politician and lobbyist who served as the U.S. representative for Kansas's 2nd congressional district, in office from 2009 to 2019. She previously served as Kansas State Treasurer from 2003 to 2008, in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2000 and the Kansas Senate from 2000 to 2002. She is a member of the Republican Party.

The Republican Majority for Choice (RMC) was a Republican organization in the United States dedicated to preserving legal access to abortion. The group also supported federal funding for all kinds of stem cell research, including embryonic stem cell research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America</span> US anti-abortion organization

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization that seeks to reduce and ultimately end abortion in the U.S. by supporting anti-abortion politicians, primarily women, through its SBA List Candidate Fund political action committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjorie Dannenfelser</span>

Marjorie Jones Dannenfelser is the president of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, an American political organization that seeks to advance anti-abortion women in politics. She was brought into the organization as its executive director in 1993, shortly after its founding by Rachel MacNair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Despite initially declaring her candidacy and being considered the favorite, popular incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe unexpectedly decided to retire instead of running for reelection to a fourth term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Brakey</span> American politician

Eric Brakey is an American politician in the U.S. state of Maine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Minnesota</span> Election of Minnesotas senator to the U.S. Senate

The 2020 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Minnesota, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the U.S. Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Some Republican pundits and strategists believed Minnesota to be a potential pickup opportunity due to its increasingly favorable demographics and unexpectedly close result in the 2016 presidential election, along with potential backlash from the 2020 George Floyd protests, originating after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. But every poll showed incumbent Democratic Senator Tina Smith in the lead by varying degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of Maine, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The election was conducted with ranked choice voting, as per the result of a referendum passed in 2016.

Co-founded in 1979 by Gloria Steinem and Kristina Kiehl, Voters for Choice was the United States's largest independent, nonpartisan, pro-choice political action committee. Its mission was to raise money and promote policies to maintain safe, legal and accessible abortion services for all women, regardless of geographical location, age or economic status. Based in Washington, D.C., its main agenda was to elect candidates who support a person's right to make decisions regarding abortion, contraception, and child-bearing without government interference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of Maine, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The elections will be conducted with ranked choice voting, as per the result of a referendum passed in 2016. These were the first House of Representatives elections held in Maine following the 2020 redistricting cycle.

References

  1. 1 2 Schreiber, Ronnee (2008). Righting Feminism: Conservative Women and American Politics . Oxford University Press, Inc. pp.  23. ISBN   978-0-19-533181-3.
  2. 1 2 Rozell, Mark J. (2000). "Helping Women Run and Win: Feminist Groups, Candidate Recruitment and Training". Women & Politics. 21 (3): 101–116. doi:10.1300/J014v21n03_05. S2CID   146838658.
  3. 1 2 "Women's 1994 Political Campaigns | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  4. ↑ "Political Campaign Financing | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  5. ↑ Crespin, Michael H.; Deitz, Janna L. (2010). "If You Can't Join 'Em, Beat 'Em: The Gender Gap in Individual Donations to Congressional Candidates". Political Research Quarterly. 63 (3): 581–593. doi:10.1177/1065912909333131. ISSN   1065-9129. JSTOR   25747960. S2CID   155001825.
  6. ↑ Gertzog, Irwin; Mandel, Ruth (Fall 1992). ""Year of the Woman": A Note of Caution" (PDF). CAW News and Notes. 8: 4 – via Rutgers.Edu.
  7. ↑ "Women Candidates | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  8. ↑ Freeman, Jo (1993). "Feminism vs. Family Values: Women at the 1992 Democratic and Republican Conventions". PS: Political Science and Politics. 26 (1): 21–28. doi:10.2307/419498. ISSN   1049-0965. JSTOR   419498.
  9. ↑ "Women Candidates | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  10. ↑ "Hutchison switches to calling herself 'pro-life' but doesn't elaborate". Dallas News. 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  11. ↑ freeman, jo (1997). "cover story: Change and Continuity for Women at the Republican and Democratic Conventions". Off Our Backs. 27 (1): 14–23. ISSN   0030-0071. JSTOR   20835712.
  12. ↑ "Wish List Contributions to Federal Candidates, 2006 cycle | OpenSecrets". www.opensecrets.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  13. ↑ "Wish List Contributions to Federal Candidates, 2008 cycle | OpenSecrets". www.opensecrets.org. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  14. ↑ "Republican Women Congressional Candidates | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  15. 1 2 3 Crespin, Michael H.; Deitz, Janna L. (2010). "If You Can't Join 'Em, Beat 'Em: The Gender Gap in Individual Donations to Congressional Candidates". Political Research Quarterly. 63 (3): 581–593. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.518.967 . doi:10.1177/1065912909333131. JSTOR   25747960. S2CID   155001825.
  16. ↑ Day, Christine L.; Hadley, Charles D. (2001). "Feminist Diversity: The Policy Preferences of Women's PAC Contributors". Political Research Quarterly. 54 (3): 673–686. doi:10.2307/449276. ISSN   1065-9129. JSTOR   449276.
  17. ↑ "Spending on Pro-Choice Vote Surges". Women's eNews. 23 August 2004. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  18. ↑ "Wish List Contributions to Federal Candidates, 2006 cycle | OpenSecrets". www.opensecrets.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  19. ↑ "Republican Majority for Choice | WISH LIST" . Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  20. ↑ Bevan, Susan; Cullman, Susan (2018-06-24). "Opinion | Why We Are Leaving the G.O.P." The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  21. ↑ "America's WISH | The Wish List" . Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  22. ↑ "Republican Women Congressional Candidates | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  23. ↑ Why our pro-life, female Senators are marching for life #WhyWeMarch, archived from the original on 2021-12-14, retrieved 2021-08-01
  24. ↑ Perano, Ursula (2 January 2020). "39 Republican senators sign brief asking Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade". Axios. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  25. ↑ "ENDORSEMENTS". Shelley Moore Capito. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  26. ↑ "Rep. Kay Granger and Challenger Chris Putnam Square Off at Republican Women's Forum". The Texan. 2020-02-04. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.