National Organization for Women favors Lawless in House primary

The National Organization for Women's political action committee has endorsed U.S. House candidate Jennifer Lawless.

Lawless - a political science professor at Brown University, and a supporter of abortion rights - "is an advocate for women's rights who will back her words with actions that protect women and girls," Melody Drnach, NOW vice president for action, said in a news release last week.

She "will be an energetic and passionate representative for Rhode Islanders and for all women," Drnach said.

Lawless' opponent in the Democratic primary - U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin - opposes abortion rights.

NOW, the nation's leading organization of feminist activists, with more than 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters, has previously supported congressional candidates including Senators Barbara Boxer, Barbara Mikulski and Patty Murray and Representatives Tammy Baldwin, Nita Lowey and Allyson Schwartz.

"For the past 40 years, the National Organization for Women has been a leading force for women's rights and equality," Lawless said. "I am proud to have their support and eager to join them as we work together for positive change in Rhode island and Washington."

NOW is the fourth national organization to endorse Lawless. The others are the Women's Campaign Fund, the National Women's Political Caucus, and the Women Under 40 PAC.

This article appeared on March 20, 2006, in the Providence Journal.