FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2021
Contact: Kelly Novak, [email protected]
NEW YORK — As cities and states across the country hold elections today for local and state offices, electing candidates who support reproductive freedom has never been more critical.
“In cities across the country — in red, blue, and purple states — we must elect representatives who will ensure that everyone has the right and ability to control their reproductive and sexual lives, choose whether and when to become parents, and get the support they need to raise their families,” said Andrea Miller, president of NIRH Action Fund. “For example, in the bellwether state of Virginia, electing champions for reproductive freedom will keep the state on track to continue to expand reproductive freedom, including access to abortion. In New Jersey, it will mean continuing to fight for the Reproductive Freedom Act. And in cities across the country, local elections will determine whether cities are led by champions for reproductive freedom.”
New Jersey and Virginia are especially critical in today’s election, as both Governor’s offices and state legislatures are in play. These two states have only recently shifted to pro-choice Democratic trifectas, allowing the Governors and state legislatures to begin to roll back restrictions on abortion access and reproductive health care.
“In order for reproductive freedom to be secured in each state, it will be essential to sustain and solidify their pro-choice governing trifectas. At this critical moment, when reproductive freedom is in an extremely precarious position, continuing this momentum at the state level is more important than ever,” Miller said.
Since 2015, NIRH Action Fund has helped to shift legislatures in states like New Mexico, New York and Virginia; emboldened champions in Massachusetts and Oregon; and laid the groundwork for political progress in states like Arizona and Pennsylvania.
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The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and its Action Fund are advocacy groups that build political power for reproductive freedom. We support elected officials who stand up for everyone’s right to control their reproductive lives, and work with stakeholders to protect and advance reproductive rights, all in partnership with allied groups in states and cities. Our strategy is to go on the offensive and focus on communities where the need is great and we can make a difference, so the fabric of reproductive freedom becomes harder to tear apart.