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National Women’s Group Donation Was Used, In Part, To Aid In Cote Opposition

EMILY’s List, a national organization dedicated to electing pro-choice women to office, has given $300,000 to support Janet Mills' campaign for governor.

The money went to the South Portland-based PAC Maine Women Together, which incorporated at the beginning of this month. In filings with the state, Maine Women Together disclosed that it has spent $192,500 of the donation on online ads and social media campaigns opposing Mills' democratic primary opponent Adam Cote; and $7,500 on supporting Mills.

In a statement Cote called the large contribution from an out-of-state group, "exactly what people hate about politics."

But on a conference call this morning with reporters, EMILY’s List president Stephanie Schriock said the donation is not about interfering in local state politics – it's about the organization's goal of getting more pro-choice women into positions of power, across the country.

“We know that when we see more women in power, we get better policies for women and families across the country," says Schriock. "We have to fight for that.”

In an email, Maine Women Together founder Lynn Bromley said Mills has been "fighting for Maine women and families throughout her career, not just when it's campaign time."

Bromley didn't respond by airtime to questions about why so much of the money is being spent on opposition.

Nora is originally from the Boston area but has lived in Chicago, Michigan, New York City and at the northern tip of New York state. Nora began working in public radio at Michigan Radio in Ann Arbor and has been an on-air host, a reporter, a digital editor, a producer, and, when they let her, played records.