Del. Aruna Miller (D-Darnestown) picked up the endorsement Thursday of the women’s political group Emily’s List in the race for Maryland’s 6th District congressional seat.
Miller, a former Montgomery County transportation engineer, is the only woman running in the race to replace Rep. John Delaney, who is running for president.
“From coming to this country as a seven-year-old and learning English so she could attend public schools to working in a fast food restaurant to help make ends meet during a family health crisis to becoming a successful engineer and running for state representative, Aruna has shown that there is no challenge she cannot rise to meet,” Emily Cain, the executive director of Emily’s List, said in a statement. “She will be a strong voice for women and families in Maryland’s 6th District.”
Miller, 52, is running against several other Democrats, including Del. Bill Frick (D-Bethesda), the House of Delegates majority leader; state Sen. Roger Manno (D-Silver Spring); and Total Wine & More co-owner David Trone. Frederick County resident Andrew Duck also filed to seek the party’s nomination.
So far the only Republican to file to run for the 6th District seat is Matt Mossburg, a former Montgomery County delegate who served one term from 1995 to 1999.
“I am honored to have been endorsed by Emily’s List,” Miller said in a statement. “This is an organization founded on bringing more people to the table, and I am so excited to see our message catching the attention of progressives who share our values.”
The endorsement from Emily’s List will likely provide a fundraising boost for Miller in what is expected to be a costly race for Congress. Emily’s List backs pro-choice Democratic female candidates who support diversity.
Last year, Trone spent $13 million of his personal fortune on an unsuccessful bid for Maryland’s 8th District Congressional seat, although he plans to spend less of his own money and use traditional fundraising in this race.
Miller, who emigrated with her family from India as a child, reported in July she had raised $355,000 for her campaign, while Frick reported raising $213,000. Duck reported raising $25,000—although $20,000 of that came from him, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Trone and Manno have not yet filed campaign finance reports with the FEC.
Miller was first elected as a state delegate in 2010. Maryland currently has an all-male Congressional delegation.