EMILY’s List endorsed state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D) on Thursday in the crowded field of candidates looking to replace former Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) in the March 3 special election primary.

“Illinois needs Sara’s leadership in Congress to work with President-elect Obama to create real change for our nation,” EMILY’s List President Ellen Malcolm said in a statement. “EMILY’s List and its members are proud to support Sara Feigenholtz in her campaign to represent Illinois’s fifth congressional district.”

Illinois’ 5th district is familiar territory for EMILY’s List, which supports female Democratic candidates who favor abortion rights. The group was very active in the last open-seat race in the 5th, backing former state Rep. Nancy Kaszak (D) in the 2002 primary that Emanuel eventually won.

Feigenholtz is one of two announced female candidates in the field, but is the only female elected official out of what is expected to be at least a dozen Democrats seeking Emanuel’s North Side Chicagoland seat.

State Rep. John Fritchey, economics lecturer Charlie Wheelan and former Transportation Security Administration official Justin Oberman have also filed to run in the Democratic primary. Other Democrats running are Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, Alderman Gene Schulter, pilot Jan Donatelli, author Tom Geoghegan and physician Victor Forys.

This is EMILY’s List first endorsement of the 2010 cycle. The special election is scheduled for April 7, although the district is heavily Democratic and the primary will most likely determine the race.