Emily’s List backs Wendy Greuel in race to replace Rep. Waxman

Emily’s List, a nationwide network of female candidate supporters, on Friday threw its support behind former Los Angeles Controller Wendy Greuel, who is running for an open congressional seat this year.

Greuel “has demonstrated outstanding leadership as a public servant fighting for education, small businesses and government accountability for California families,” Emily’s List President Stephanie Schriock said in a statement announcing the endorsement.

Greuel and the only other Democrat in the race so far, state Sen. Ted Lieu of Torrance, have been scrambling to corner endorsements and other support in the race to replace veteran Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills).

Waxman, a fixture in Westside politics for more than four decades, announced last week that he would retire when his term ends.

Several other Democrats are considering getting into the race for the 33rd Congressional District, which runs from large chunks of the voter- and contributions-rich Westside and Malibu down the coast and through the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Two independent candidates got in several weeks before Waxman’s retirement announcement, and at least one other is considering it. No Republican candidate has surfaced to date in this solidly Democratic district.

Emily’s List, which recruits and helps raise money for female Democratic candidates nationwide who support abortion rights, also supported Greuel in her race for L.A. mayor last year. Greuel placed second in the crowded municipal primary but lost to then-Councilman Eric Garcetti in the hard-fought general election.

The organization said that it has raised more than $350 million to support its candidates and that during its 29-year history has helped elect 102 women to the House, 19 to the U.S. Senate, 10 to governor posts and more than 500 to state and local offices.

ALSO:

Villaraigosa backs Wendy Greuel’s congressional bid

Kamala Harris endorses Greuel in race for Rep. Waxman’s seat

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi to seek reelection, not Senate seat

Twitter: @jeanmerl

jean.merl@latimes.com