|
John,
The failure of the federal government and the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights drives home why we must elect prochoice champions to state and local office.
We’re working to make change at the level where most abortion bans originate: in the states.
Texas is a battleground for all the work that we do.
Texas' primary Election Day falls on the six-month anniversary of SB8 going into effect, one of the most restrictive and cruel abortion bans ever passed.
It is essential to elevate leaders who are running not just to block these kinds of attacks, but who will also proactively fight for legislation so that every Texan has control over their own reproductive health and journey.
Here is our first round of endorsees in Texas:
For US Congress:
-
Jessica Cisneros for TX-28, who is running against one of the most antiabortion Democrats in Congress, incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar.
-
Iroghama Omere for TX-4
-
State Rep. Jasmine Crockett for TX-30
-
Diana Martinez Alexander for TX-38
We're also endorsing 10 state and local candidates in Texas:
-
Michelle Beckley for Lieutenant Governor
- Incumbent state Rep. Erin Zwiener for reelection for House District 45
-
Tracy Scott for House District 46
- Incumbent state Rep. Vikki Goodwin for reelection in House District 47
-
Justin Calhoun for House District 73
-
Tristian TD Sanders for House District 55
-
Staci Childs for State Board of Education District 4
-
Michelle Palmer for State Board of Education District 6
-
Susan Korbel for Bexar County Commissioner in Precinct 3
-
Adam M. Swartz for Dallas County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3, Place 1.
Our candidates are true prochoice champions. Here’s why in their own words:
Diana Martinez Alexander, candidate for TX-38: “I stood in a long line at a UT event, long ago as a college freshman. I turned words over in my mind, wondering what to say to Sarah Weddington when it was my turn. How could I capture all the emotions of gratitude and relief in Roe v. Wade and her work? Ms. Weddington took in my words, and I knew that without her, I wouldn't be at college. I made the choice that made it possible to have the family I have today. People deserve to make choices about their reproductive care with the health providers without the intrusion of government in one's uterus. Full stop.”
*****
State Rep. Jasmine Crockett, candidate for TX-30: “I have opposed and fought against every anti-abortion piece of legislation to reach the floor of the Texas House. I have filed an amicus brief in the Dobbs case and have a 100% pro-choice record. I know that everyone loves someone who's had an abortion and that 60% of abortion seekers are already parents. This is an important issue for so many in my district and the State of Texas, especially after the passage of SB 8. Everyone on my legislative and campaign staff is also pro-abortion. I have worked closely with Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, and the Texas Equal Access Fund, which is the abortion fund that serves North Texas, to be vigilant against anti-choice legislation as well as fight for policies in other areas to achieve reproductive justice.”
*****
Iroghama Omere, candidate for TX-4: “As a woman, I have the right just like any person to do whatever I choose to do with my body. The government has no place to regulate my reproductive freedoms. In the same token, I have also invested time to learn the science relating to the reproductive system. I have and will continue to use my knowledge to plan for my family. I have taught other women what I have learned so they can plan for their families while reducing the chances of unexpected pregnancies.”
*****
Texas State Rep. Erin Zwiener, who represents House District 45: “I'm a member of the Texas House Public Health Committee and stood firm against the onslaught of anti-abortion bills last session. I was the most vigorous defender of the right to choose on that committee and used my position to point out the contradictions in the legislation and amplify the voices of people who need abortion care. My own, very much wanted pregnancy was difficult. I developed hyperemesis gravidarum, lost 20 pounds, and was so weak I had difficulty with work and basic tasks. I'm so grateful I have my daughter, but I can't imagine forcing anyone who didn't want to give birth to endure carrying a pregnancy to term. Access to abortion is critical for people who have something go wrong with their pregnancy, for people who cannot parent for whatever reason, and for people who simply don't want to parent."
*****
Texas State Rep. Vikki Goodwin who represents House District 47: “I am a prochoice champion in a state that just enacted a vigilante-style anti-abortion law that doesn't even exclude rape or incest. The Democratic women of the Texas House, including myself, were devastated by the so-called heartbeat bill that passed this last session, and the new law that bans the use of medication abortion. Women across the state were outraged at the new law, and I am hopeful they maintain that outrage and use it to motivate themselves to the polls in November. We need a change in governor, lt. governor and attorney general in order to bring back safe, legal abortions to Texas.”
*****
Staci Childs, candidate for State Board of Education District 4: “I have witnessed the beauty of what reproductive rights can offer women, men, and families. Good reproductive rights have allowed people to make more informed decisions, and have allowed people to properly plan for the lives they want.”
*****
Michelle Palmer, candidate for State Board of Education District 6: “I have spent the last 15 years as a public education advocate but before that, I spent a lot of time testifying before the state legislature about bills that affected choice. In college, I spent a lot of time defending clinics. I spent over a week defending the West Loop Women's Clinic from groups like Operation Rescue during the 1992 RNC Convention. I have also testified before the Texas Legislature in defense of choice several times.”
*****
As the election season heats up, we will continue to showcase our prochoice champions. We're so proud of what they do, what they stand for, and who they are.
Don’t forget, if you’re a prochoice voter in Texas, early voting in the primary has already started! Make a plan to vote, and call 866-OUR-VOTE if you encounter *any* problems or questions in the voting process.
Thank you for supporting our work and our candidates,
#VOTEPROCHOICE
|
