This morning the Supreme Court of the United State released the Dobbs vs Jackson opinion, and effectively struck down Roe v Wade.
Like you, I am heartbroken. I am furious. But I am not surprised, because we knew this day would come.
It has long been the agenda of right-wing extremists to ban abortion – to keep us from planning our families when & how it’s right for us – to overturn the will of the people in our elections, through the courts, and with violent mobs of their supporters.
But we will not let them win. We will channel our fury and heartbreak into action – to organize, to vote, to elect champions for abortion access and reproductive freedom.
I ran for office in 2018 to prepare for this moment. Because while working at Planned Parenthood I heard firsthand about the barriers people faced pre-Roe when seeking an abortion, as well as the continued challenges some individuals faced in a post-Roe society. Especially poor people, those living in isolated rural communities, trans folks, communities of color, those living in Republican-controlled states.
I ran for office because I knew that here in Washington State, we could protect and expand the freedom to have an abortion. And we have.
Because neighbors like you organized and voted, we have expanded our network of abortion providers, required health insurers to cover abortion care, passed comprehensive sexual health education, and ensured that religious hospitals will care for patients experiencing miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
But just because our right to have an abortion is codified in state law, doesn’t mean we can stop fighting. Because five years ago, anti-abortion extremists controlled the Washington State Senate.
We cannot let them win it back. I'm ready to fight for our freedom. I hope you'll join me.
