EMILY's List endorses Derby

The pro-choice political group EMILY's List announced Thursday it was endorsing Democrat Jill Derby in her bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Carson City) in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District.

The group, which advocates for pro-choice Democratic women seeking office, called Derby a stronger candidate than she was during her failed run for the 2nd district seat in 2006.

"Jill Derby has her pulse on the issues that are most important to families in Nevada and will use her voice in Washington to bring real change to the second district," EMILY's List President Ellen Malcolm said in a statement released with the endorsement. 

Derby is locked in a tight race with freshman Heller, who defeated her in 2006. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added her to its list of top challengers last week, and Derby said the EMILY's List endorsement is another welcome development.

"I am honored to have the support of the members of EMILY's List in Nevada and around the country as we work together to bring fresh ideas to Washington," Derby said in a statement following the endorsement. 

"The people of the second district are tired of politics as usual, and I am determined to represent them as a voice for change in Congress."