Emily’s List endorses Betsy Hodges for Minneapolis mayor

Emily's List, a national political fundraising powerhouse, has put its weight behind Minneapolis mayoral candidate Betsy Hodges.

With relatively few state and federal races on the ballot nationwide, the group has declared 2013 the "Year of the Woman Mayor," and it has now endorsed 10 mayoral candidates in cities including New York, Boston and Houston.

Emily's List only backs Democratic women who support abortion rights. It has endorsed mayoral candidates in previous election cycles, but never this many.

The endorsement gives Hodges access to the group's donor base, which it touts as 2 million members strong.

It will be hard to gauge the fundraising strengths of the cavalcade of candidates until next month. Sept. 3 is the first time most of the campaigns will be required to report their financial situations.

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