Riley Collins is a Decorated Army Colonel Running to be the First African American Woman to Hold Statewide Office in Mississippi

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) endorsed Jennifer Riley Collins for Mississippi Attorney General today. Riley Collins is a 32-year U.S. Army veteran, who most recently defended the rights of all Mississippians as the Executive Director of the Mississippi American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Jennifer Riley Collins is a part of DAGA’s 1881 Initiative, a program focused on electing more Democratic women to the office of state Attorney General. If elected, Riley Collins will be the first African American woman to hold statewide office.

Statement from Sean Rankin, Executive Director of the Democratic Attorneys General Association:

“We are proud to support Jennifer Riley Collins for Mississippi Attorney General. As a 32-year veteran of the United States Armed Services and civil rights attorney, Riley Collins’ experience reflects the ethos of the greatest generation, who put service of country ahead of partisan politics – something our country sorely needs right now.  Her record is clear.  She fought for our freedoms against enemies abroad in the armed services, and in courtrooms back home in Mississippi, she has fought against those seeking to encroach upon the rights of the people of her proud state. Once elected, Jennifer Riley Collins will defend the rights of all the people of Mississippi, root out corruption and hold those who misuse power accountable, and ensure the rule of law is followed without preference or prejudice.  She will be a true public servant.”

“Mississippi voters understand the importance of electing a state Attorney General who they can trust to put their kids, families, and communities first—and that candidate is Jennifer Riley Collins. When elected, she will be the first African American woman to hold statewide office in Mississippi. We look forward to Mississippi voters getting to know Jennifer Riley Collins on her run towards an historic victory in November.”

As part of DAGA’s support, the committee has already invested resources in Mississippi including nearly $90,000 and deploying DAGA’s first-of-its-kind volunteer-to-voter texting program, which has already reached more than 300,000 Mississippi voters. In 2018, DAGA successfully defended all incumbents, kept open seats blue, and flipped four key battleground states: Colorado, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin. To learn more about the most diverse coalition of Democratic AGs in history and DAGA’s record-breaking 2018, click here!

Learn more about Jennifer Riley Collins’ historic campaign here.

Other Key Endorsements:

• NARAL Pro-Choice America: “Mississippi women and families deserve a strong fighter in their corner, especially in light of unprecedented attacks on reproductive freedom. We are proud to endorse Jennifer Riley Collins’ historic campaign, knowing she will be that fighter.” 7/31/2019.
• Jackson Advocate: “Smart and upright … who will advocate on behalf of the ideas that benefit the working class people of our state”
• AFL – CIO
• United Auto Workers (UAW)
• Senator Derrick Simmons, MS Senate, District 12
• Senator Sollie Norwood, MS Senate, District 28
• Senator Albert Butler, MS Senate, District 36
• Representative Orlando Paden, MS House of Representatives, District 26
• Representative Tracey Rosebud, MS House of Representatives, District 30
• Representative Otis Anthony, MS House of Representatives, District 31
• Representative Oscar Denton, MS House of Representatives, District 55
• Representative Chris Bell, MS House of Representatives, District 65
• Representative Jarvis Dortch, MS House of Representatives, District 66
• Representative Earle S. Banks, MS House of Representatives, District 67
• Representative Alyce Clark, MS House of Representatives, District 69
• Representative Jeffrey Harness, MS House of Representatives, District 85
• Chancery Clerk Eddie Jean Carr, Hinds County
• Mayor Anthony Witherspoon, City of Magnolia
• Mayor Percy Bland, City of Meridian
• Councilman Aaron Banks, City of Jackson
• Former Mayor Phillip West, City of Natchez (Former State Representative)
• Hollis Watkins, President Southern Echo, Civil Rights Activist

Key Press Coverage:

• Bloomberg: Battle Brews to Dump Jim Crow-Era Election Rules in Mississippi. Margaret Newkirk and Erik Larson, 8/2/2019
• Jackson Free Press: Candidate Questionnaire: Jennifer Riley Collins (Attorney General). Staff, 7/30/2019
• Jackson Free Press: ‘Why Can’t I Break That Barrier?’: The JFP Interview with AG Hopeful Jennifer Riley Collins. Ashton Pittman, 3/20/2019