FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2018
Contact: Stephanie Reichin
E: [email protected]
C: 617.549.3745
NIRH Action Fund PAC-Endorsed Candidates Running to Defend New York Values and Advance Reproductive Freedom in the New York State Senate
NEW YORK, NY (August 23, 2018) — Today, the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) Action Fund PAC endorsed seven candidates for New York State Senate, all of whom are challenging former members of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) in the upcoming September 13 primary elections. The former IDC members are a group of state senators who were elected to office as Democrats, but aligned with the anti-choice Republican majority. From 2011 to 2018, the IDC enabled Republicans to control the Senate and block a host of progressive initiatives, including the Reproductive Health Act, legislation to decriminalize abortion and enshrine protections for reproductive rights in New York State law. As the potential appointment of anti-abortion judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court threatens many of our fundamental rights, it is more crucial than ever to codify abortion rights protections into New York state law.
“New Yorkers have an historic opportunity to elect a State Senate that represents and will champion their values,” said NIRH Action Fund PAC President Andrea Miller. “Our federal government is controlled by anti-abortion extremists, while Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has placed Roe v. Wade in grave jeopardy. In the face of such unified federal opposition to reproductive freedom, New York must also be unified as a beacon of progressive values, especially for reproductive health, rights, and justice. That means electing state senators who value the freedoms, opportunities, and protections New Yorkers deserve over political expediency. The NIRH Action Fund PAC is excited to endorse candidates who are committed to championing New York values and whom voters can trust to advance legislation that respects and protects every New Yorker’s ability to make decisions about their reproductive lives, including the right and ability to access abortion care.”
The NIRH Action Fund PAC proudly endorses the following candidates ahead of the September 13 primary:
| Senate District 11 | John Liu (D) |
| Senate District 13 | Jessica Ramos (D) |
| Senate District 20 | Zellnor Myrie (D) |
| Senate District 31 | Robert Jackson (D) |
| Senate District 34 | Alessandra Biaggi (D) |
| Senate District 38 | Julie Goldberg (D) |
| Senate District 53 | Rachel May (D) |
John Liu (D), candidate for Senate District 11: “This endorsement means a lot to me because the fact that a woman’s right to choose is not on the law books is unconscionable. At a time when the U.S. Supreme Court is dangerously close to taking a hard right turn, New York legislators have a responsibility to protect the women in this state. As a true Democrat in the state senate, I will fight proudly alongside NIRH Action Fund PAC to ensure the RHA and the CCCA become law.”
Jessica Ramos (D), candidate for Senate District 13: “The National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC fights to give every woman the power to control their reproductive health. With a sexist in the White House who is intent on repealing Roe v. Wade, we need leaders in Albany now more than ever to protect our right to choose. I’m honored to receive National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC’s endorsement—because protecting reproductive freedom in New York is now more important than ever. In Albany, I will fight to pass the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act and the Reproductive Health Act to make sure that all women have access to contraception and can make decisions about their own reproductive health.”
Zellnor Myrie (D), candidate for Senate District 20: “National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC has been on the frontlines fighting the anti-choice Republican agenda in Albany. While our state government has remained idle, the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC has been supporting candidates, like myself, who are committed to strengthening reproductive rights. With Trump packing the Supreme Court, one wrong decision could have drastic consequences for reproductive rights here in New York. The IDC and their Republican allies have played politics with reproductive rights, and people’s lives have hung in the balance. The State Senate should have passed the CCCA and the RHA years ago, and I look forward to taking up this legislation as a top priority after September 13.”
Robert Jackson (D), candidate for Senate District 31: “Women’s healthcare, rights and freedoms are under attack from Trump and Washington Republicans, while here in New York the GOP-IDC alliance has prevented us from protecting and advancing these essential human rights. We must stand together to fight to expand access to healthcare, stop the attacks on women’s health and reproductive rights and finally pass the Reproductive Health Act and Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act. I’m honored to be endorsed by the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC, thank them for the incredible leadership they provide and look forward to continuing to work with them in the fight for reproductive freedom and to protect New York’s women and families.”
Alessandra Biaggi (D), candidate for Senate District 34: “I’m proud to accept the endorsement of the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC (NIRHAF PAC). Making sure that we can finally pass the Reproductive Health Act is a major goal of my campaign. With Roe v. Wade at risk, we must ensure New York women have the protections of current federal law. I look forward to working with the NIRHAF PAC and other organizations to pass the RHA.”
Julie Goldberg (D), candidate for Senate District 38: “I am proud to be endorsed by the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC, which believes, as I do, that reproductive rights are human rights. With reproductive rights under attack at the Federal level, New York must pass both the Reproductive Health Act, to write the protections of Roe v. Wade into New York law, and the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, to prohibit insurers from denying contraceptive coverage. These measures have overwhelming support among New Yorkers. With the help of organizations like the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC, we will protect women’s rights in this state.”
Rachel May (D), candidate for Senate District 53: “As a steadfast supporter of women’s reproductive rights, I am grateful to have the endorsement of the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC. In a moment when it feels like we are constantly pushing back against regressive policies, these advocates are taking the chance to push forward a bold and strategic vision of the kind of future we want. I look forward to working with them in the New York Senate, not only to defend a woman’s right to choose, but to treat reproductive health as the economic and racial justice issue that it is and to advance a progressive agenda that will improve every New Yorker’s life. Together, we will build a New York that we can be proud of.”
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The NIRH Action Fund PAC makes endorsements in New York State.