Guidelines

WIL CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT POLICY

To be considered for endorsement a candidate must:

1.  Be pro-choice

  • Support the legal implications of Roe v. Wade.
  • Support the right of a woman to make her own medical decisions, including the right to choose and have an abortion.
  • Support access for women to abortion services regardless of age or financial need.

2.  Be considered a viable candidate according to WIL guidelines:

  • Demonstrate the ability to fundraise.
  • Have name recognition.
  • Have a campaign organization – i.e., a campaign consultant or campaign manager, solid volunteer base and/or staff.
  • A candidate’s viability will also depend on a review of her opponent(s).

After reviewing a candidate’s pro-choice position, viability and political assessment, WIL will choose one of the following endorsement options:

  1. Endorse one candidate per office.
  2. Remain neutral in the race and not endorse any candidate, but list pro-choice candidates.

Additional endorsement considerations:

  • Leadership and loyalty:  elected officials who have demonstrated support for our issues (e.g. voting record, efforts in community, etc.) will be given preference over candidates who do not have a track record.
  • Non-partisan balance: WIL recognizes that strong pro-choice candidates may come from different political parties.  It will strive to maintain a non-partisan balance in its endorsements.

Withdrawing and Endorsement:

WIL reserves the right to withdraw endorsement at any time for any of the following reasons:

  • The endorsed candidate, through words or actions, demonstrates ideals which are inconsistent with WIL’s mission.
  • The endorsed candidate, through words or actions, demonstrates unethical behavior which is inconsistent with the ethical standards of WIL.
  • The endorsed candidate drops out of the race.

WIL endorsements are only good for one election cycle.  Request access to the Endorsement Application here.