I can't stop thinking about this moment during my debate with my opponent last week, and I want to talk to you about it.
Let me set the stage: About halfway through the forum, we were asked about reproductive rights. I said, as I often do, that it’s a hugely important issue for voters, and as a 35-year-old woman, it’s personal to me. I said that having autonomy over your body is a basic freedom that we absolutely need to protect.
My opponent didn't feel the same. He reminded us that he's pro-life – which is, of course, his right. But then he said, rather disingenuously, that Californians’ rights aren’t at stake right now.
That's wrong. Let’s be completely clear: Republicans in the House have already introduced legislation to implement a national abortion ban – and most of their conference has signed on to it. If they gain control of Congress and pass that bill, it will override any state abortion protections, including constitutional protections. Here in California, our rights are on the line, too.
But that exchange isn't what bothered me most during our debate – though it was, of course, outrageous. It was towards the very end when my opponent essentially said I should stop talking about abortion and start talking about "real issues."
I’m sorry if Bill Wells doesn’t understand this, but for tens of millions of people, reproductive care is at the center of our health care. When and whether to have a child is one of the most important decisions we will ever make, and has a massive impact on our futures, including our economic futures.
I will never apologize for treating reproductive health care like the kitchen table issue that it is.
The fact that my opponent doesn’t get this is just one more reason he’s not fit to represent our district in Congress.
I know you’re with me on this issue. I’ve heard time and time again – from people of all genders, by the way! – that this is incredibly important to them, and that they’re counting on Democrats to flip the House this November and protect our rights.
So today, I hope you’ll consider making a contribution to my re-election campaign so I can defeat my anti-choice opponent and ensure that Congress protects reproductive rights and freedoms.
