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As a Michigander, I mean it when I say I have never been so proud of Ohio! Last night, Ohio voters turned out in droves to pass a ballot initiative that enshrined reproductive freedom into their state constitution (and another ballot proposal to legalize marijuana).

Victory in Ohio last night continues a trend of Midwestern states rejecting extremist attempts to restrict abortion rights. First, Kansas last August. Then, our great state of Michigan last November, where we codified Roe. And in Michigan’s local elections last night, we saw the extreme, culture-war candidates lose to serious, pragmatic leaders of both parties, across our city councils and school boards.

But one thing is clear: Ohio may occasionally beat us in football, but they are THIRSTY for Michigan’s progress! And we love it! We’re still, ahem, beating them – our ballot initiative to codify Roe passed here in Michigan with 56.7% and Issue 1 passed in Ohio with 56.6% – but we’re thrilled to be neck-and-neck with our rival. Next up, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Iowa either will have or are working to get their own Roe provisions on the ballot next year.

All in all, the Midwest had a great election night: In addition to this incredible news in Ohio, last night Democratic Governor Andy Beshear won re-election in Kentucky. Those not lucky enough to be Midwesterners also had a good night: Democrats in Virginia showed up in their local elections to keep the State Senate and flip the House – effectively blocking any attempts to pass an abortion ban in Virginia, and Pennsylvania expanded their Democratic majority in the Supreme Court.

Unfortunately, even in the commentary today, Republicans have made it clear at every level that overturning a federal right to abortion was just the beginning. There’s a pro-life rally at our capital in Michigan and a group of anti-choice organizations has filed a lawsuit to overturn the constitutional amendment to codify Roe that we passed last year. And they will certainly continue to fight to outlaw abortion across the country with statewide bans where they can – and ultimately a federal ban, superseding state law even in places where voters have made their voices clear.

So as important a moment this is for Ohio, we need more than just state efforts to protect the right to abortion. We need principled elected leaders at every level of government who will fight to protect these critical rights and codify Roe into federal law.
If you agree, I hope you join me in my campaign for Senate by chipping in today.


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Thank you,

Elissa Slotkin
 


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