EMILY's List endorses Bysiewicz for Lieberman's seat

EMILY’s List made official its endorsement for Susan Bysiewicz on Monday, elevating the Senate candidate in Connecticut from her previous designation as “On the List.”

The endorsement by the political action committee, which supports female Democrats who favor abortion rights, will be a financial boon for Bysiewicz. But it also elevated tensions between EMILY’s List and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is backing her opponent, Rep. Chris Murphy (Conn.), in the primary.

“In an election year where control of the Senate is up for grabs, women are leading the way toward victory for Democrats. Susan Bysiewicz has the tenacity and strength to be a great senator for Connecticut,” EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock said in a statement.

Although the DSCC has put forward a strategy of promoting strong female Senate candidates as part of its plan to retain control of the Senate in 2012, Bysiewicz did not make the cut, and DSCC Chairwoman Patty Murray (Wash.) told reporters two weeks ago that she expected Murphy to win.

Bysiewicz used to slight as an opportunity to draw a contrast between herself and Murphy, whom she deemed the “insider favorite” of Washington special interests.

Bysiewicz, a former Connecticut secretary of state who has raised $1.25 million for her Senate bid, is competing to be the Democratic nominee to replace the retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). The primary winner is expected to face either wrestling executive Linda McMahon or former Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) in the general election.

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