Mame Reiley, Chair of the DNC Women's Caucus and DNC Member from Virginia Endorses Governor Howard Dean for DNC Chair

Released: Jan 26, 2005 4:29 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2005

Dean Contacts: Fred Baldassaro, 917-686-5827
            Laura Gross, 802-318-6853

BURLINGTON, VT—Mame Reiley, Chair of the DNC Women's Caucus and DNC member from Virginia has endorsed Governor Howard Dean for Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). This endorsement adds to his broad, diverse, and growing list of support and is further proof that DNC voting members from several states across the country approve of his vision for the DNC.

"I am proud to announce today my support of Howard Dean for DNC Chair. Howard Dean is committed to protecting a woman's fundamental right to choose. Governor Dean supports pay equity for women. He supports quality health care and education for all Americans," Reiley said.

"Mame and I agree that if Democrats are going to beat back conservative politicians' attacks on our values, women must have a strong voice in the future of the Democratic Party and a seat at the table in the decision-making process," said Dean. "If I am elected chairman, women will," he added.

Dean is running for DNC Chair to build on the work his PAC, Democracy for America, (DFA) has been doing to elect Democrats to local and national offices. In addition to mobilizing grassroots support, DFA directly donated over $1 million for candidates across the country.

Dean continues to attend regional caucus meetings of the DNC membership across the country and will be traveling to New York City this weekend (Saturday, January 29) for the Eastern Regional Caucus.

Dean has been involved in all levels of the Democratic Party—including Chittenden County, (Vermont) Democratic Party chair. He has run successful campaigns for state legislature, lieutenant governor, and governor. He served as chair of both the National Governors' Association and the Democratic Governors' Association (DGA). And as chair of the DGA, he helped recruit nearly 20 governors that won—even in so-called "red" states—including Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi. He knows what it is like to be involved at the local level and he know what it is like to run for national office, a perfect combination for a party that needs to reconnect with its grassroots as well as be competitive at the national level.