FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2020
Contact: Liza Dee, [email protected]
National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico and Forward Together Action celebrate wins critical races setting the stage to defend reproductive freedom and abortion access in the state
New York – Champions for reproductive freedom prevailed in New Mexico’s primary elections last night, setting the stage for future legislative wins to protect and expand access to reproductive health care. Last year, anti-abortion Senate Democrats blocked the repeal of an outdated abortion ban in New Mexico, jeopardizing abortion access in the state if Roe v. Wade gets overturned. The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) Action Fund worked with its partner organizations Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico and Forward Together Action to secure victories for Pam Cordova (SD30) Siah Correa Hemphill (SD 28), Carrie Hamblen (SD 38), Leo Jaramillo (SD5), and Neomi Martinez-Parra (SD35), all challenger candidates who are currently ahead in their races to oust conservative Democratic incumbents, with votes still being counted.
“Amid the nationwide eruption of resistance to this country’s ongoing legacy of violence against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, New Mexicans last night sent a clear message by voting for progressive change,” said Andrea Miller, president of the NIRH Action Fund. “From fighting against white supremacy to making strides to advance reproductive freedom, New Mexicans cast their votes to build a state that respectsevery individual’s right and ability to live their life free from violence and oppression, with full freedom to control their bodies, lives, and futures. The candidates who are leading in their races to oust conservative incumbents ran on strong platforms of support for reproductive freedom and centering the lives of those most impacted by issues like state-sanctioned violence, poverty, health disparities, and attacks on reproductive health care. I congratulate New Mexico voters, our partners Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico and Forward Together Action, and the progressive candidates who are emerging victorious – and look forward to seeing them create lasting change in the legislative session ahead.”
“Today’s victories prove once again that New Mexico voters want state legislators who will defend reproductive freedom,” said Sara Taylor-Nanista, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico. “We thank the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund for its support to further secure a majority in the New Mexico state legislature that respects women and their personal decisions about abortion. We look forward to seeing voters’ voices at the ballot box transform into lasting legislative change protecting every person’s ability to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives and futures.”
“Seventy-seven percent of New Mexicans respect a woman’s right to make personal decisions about abortion care, and today’s elections further shortened the distance between those constituents and their representatives when it comes to reproductive justice,” said Marshall Martinez, New Mexico Field Director, Forward Together Action. “We thank the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund for its support in working toward a truly pro-choice majority in the state legislature and setting the stage for proactive legislation in the year ahead.”
Ahead of the upcoming presidential election, the NIRH Action Fund has focused on supporting efforts to strengthen the progressive infrastructure in the states and ensure state legislative majorities across the country, that can serve as a bulwark against attacks on reproductive freedom from the federal government. This past fall, the NIRH Action Fund partnered with Virginia advocates to combat deceptive attacks on abortion access and flip the legislature blue, allowing the state to roll back medically unnecessary abortion restrictions and expand care in the state and region.
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The NIRH Action Fund conducts nonpartisan advocacy and electoral engagement to advance reproductive freedom in states and cities across the country.