Democratic candidate for PA-12, Erin McClelland announced today the receipt of an endorsement from the Women’s Campaign Fund (WFC) in her primary race.

“Women’s Campaign Fund is proud to stand with Erin McClelland in her race for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District,” said Clare Bresnahan, Political Director of Women’s Campaign Fund. “When the incumbent Congressman can’t even support the Violence Against Women Act, it’s clearly time for a change in leadership. Pennsylvania women and families need a voice in Congress who will stand up for them, which is why WCF is proud to endorse Erin in this critical race.”

McClelland, in response to the endorsement, said, “I am so honored to have the backing of WCF, one of the premier organizations dedicated making sure women have a voice in all levels of government.  Pennsylvania is a state that is 51% female but has only one female member of Congress – who is vacating her seat to run for Governor.  I know we can do better. Our daughters, sisters, and mothers deserve to have someone in Congress who cares more about finding solutions than finding someone to blame.”

McClelland is facing Rep. Murtha’s former Chief of Staff John Hugya in the Democratic primary for the 12th District.

If she wins, she’ll have a tough general election ahead of her as a Democrat. Current incumbent Rep. Keith Rothfus is a Republican, and Cook PVI has rated this district R+9, meaning it leans quite heavily toward the right.

Both of the candidates in the primary posted unimpressive numbers in the fourth quarter.  McClelland raised about $30,000 and Hugya brought in $31,000 and their COH numbers are also comparable: McClelland with $20,847 and Hugya with $25,496, but Rothfus blew them both out of the water, bringing in $237,288.05 in the fourth quarter and keeping $872,447.68 on hand.

Along with the WCF, McClelland also has the support of Rep. Erin Molchany (D-Allegheny), Lawrence County Commissioner Steve Craig, Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court, Westmoreland County Democratic Chairman Dante Bertani, Westmoreland County Democratic Committee Executive Director Jesse Walker and IBEW Local 5, among several others.

The WCF was founded in 1974 and is a nonpartisan national organization dedicated to achieving parity for women in public office. The group also endorsed Shaughnessy Naughton in the Democratic primary for PA-8.