Alex Sink, the leading Democratic contender for governor in 2010, landed a predictable but potentially weighty endorsement Friday from a national fundraising group for Democratic women who support abortion rights.

The nod from Washington-based EMILY's List could mean millions of dollars directly to Sink's campaign as well as get-out-the-vote advertising on her behalf.

''EMILY's List looks forward to helping to elect Alex Sink as Florida's first woman governor,'' President Ellen Malcolm said.

Sink has given nearly $52,000 to the group since 1992, plus tens of thousands of dollars more to female candidates it endorsed, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

EMILY's List backed her campaign for chief financial officer in 2006, and when she decided to run for governor, began promoting her on its website.

Now that the Sink endorsement is official, the group will solicit its 100,000 members across the country, touting that ``this showdown will be one of the cycle's most highly anticipated races.''

OUT-OF-STATE CASH

In another sign that Florida's contest will be awash in out-of-state money, the Democratic Governor's Association identified the state this week as one of the top four opportunities in the country to crack Republican control of state government.

EMILY's List's has helped elect female candidates in Florida, including U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, Kathy Castor of Tampa and Suzanne Kosmas of New Smyrna Beach. In the 2004 Senate race, EMILY's List gave so much money to Democrat Betty Castor that rivals accused the group of carpet-bagging.

KEPT OUT OF BATTLES

A heavy hand by EMILY's List in the governor's race could complicate Sink's efforts to portray herself as bipartisan.

She has stayed out of battles over abortion rights in the Legislature.

''As CFO, she's been focused on doing what the people of Florida elected her to do -- which is watching over the state's tax dollars,'' Sink spokeswoman Tara Klimek said.

An early poll by Rasmussen Reports released Thursday showed Sink eight points behind her Republican rival, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum.

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