Governor Murphy, the champion for reproductive health care access, wins re-election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2021
Contact: Casey Olesko 973-775-2781 / [email protected]

TRENTON, NJ — Voters in New Jersey made their voices heard, voting to re-elect reproductive health care champion Governor Phil Murphy. While Murphy proudly showed his support on the campaign trail for protecting and expanding reproductive health care access in New Jersey, he beat out an opponent who courted Trump voters with out-of-touch attacks on sex education and safe, legal abortion.

“Attacking our health, rights and freedoms is a losing strategy,” said Cory Neering, board member with Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. “We look forward to continuing our work with Governor Murphy and the incoming legislative leadership to protect and expand access to reproductive health care and our basic rights.”

“No matter your income or your zip code, your insurance status or your immigration status, you deserve access to high-quality, affordable health care and comprehensive sex education,” said Roslyn Rogers Collins, board member with Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. “We are so glad that Governor Murphy was re-elected based on his staunch support for these rights.”

"Planned Parenthood Action Fund congratulates Phil Murphy on his re-election as governor of New Jersey," said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. "Governor Murphy has been a steadfast champion for reproductive health and rights, including affordable, accessible birth control, sensitive, appropriate prenatal and postpartum care, and safe, legal abortion. We look forward to supporting Governor Murphy and his administration’s efforts to bolster abortion access for all in New Jersey, starting with the passage of the full Reproductive Freedom Act.”

Throughout his time in office, Governor Murphy has made clear his support of reproductive health and rights, including abortion. Upon taking office, he restored desperately needed family planning funding that his predecessor had stripped from the budget. Murphy also has prioritized strengthening access to legal abortion and birth control, as the U.S. Supreme Court considers two cases that could undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade, the court’s historic decision legalizing abortion. He has been a strong supporter of the Reproductive Freedom Act since the bill’s introduction. This bill, which would not only protect abortion access in a post-Roe America, but also expand access by breaking down harmful barriers individuals face due to their incomes, insurance status, or immigration status, is overwhelmingly supported by New Jersey voters. According to a recent poll,  72% of New Jersey voters support passing the bill. Despite its popularity, the legislation has been stalled in the Democratically-controlled State Legislature, with some members suggesting abortion access is not a concern in the state.

“We know that opponents of safe, legal abortion are hellbent on controlling people’s pregnancy decisions — even when it jeopardizes health and safety,” said Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, Vice President of Public Affairs with Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. “The Reproductive Freedom Act would ensure that everyone in this state can make their own personal medical decisions about birth control, prenatal care and abortion, with dignity and without interference from politicians.”

“We cannot take access to reproductive health care for granted,” said Neering. “We will work side-by-side with Governor Murphy and the legislative leadership - during lame duck and the next term - to ensure that every obstacle to accessing reproductive health services is torn down so that no New Jerseyans are denied the care they need.”

###

Paid for by Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, 196 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey 07960. This expenditure was not made with the cooperation or prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, or person or committee acting on behalf of the candidate. Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey (PPAFNJ) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) non-profit social welfare organization, and the advocacy arm of the Planned Parenthood Affiliates in New Jersey. We advocate for access to essential health care through education, activism, voter engagement, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. For more information, visit our website at: www.ppactionnj.org.