Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund endorses candidates for Massachusetts state Senate and House

Online voter guide provides information on candidates’ voting records

BOSTON – The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund (PPAF) endorsed 116 legislative candidates for election or re-election on the November ballot. The slate of endorsed candidates includes 13 candidates challenging incumbents and 11 candidates running for open seats. The large number of endorsements represents a distinct affirmation from candidates that they are ready to work alongside PPAF to build greater political will on Beacon Hill for smart sexual and reproductive health policies.

“Massachusetts can and must lead when it comes to promoting and protecting sexual and reproductive health,” said Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, PPAF President. “We need elected officials who will put patients first, strengthen reproductive rights, and promote greater health equity for everyone no matter who they are or where they live. That’s why we’re working to elect sexual and reproductive health allies up and down the ballot.”

PPAF endorses candidates based on their voting records and candidates’ answers to a questionnaire that assesses their positions on sexual and reproductive health issues and PPAF’s legislative priorities, such as strengthening patient confidentiality protections, expanding access to comprehensive sexuality education in public schools, supporting state funding for family planning services, and protecting access to safe, legal abortion.

In addition to volunteer-driven voter education programs and grassroots efforts informing voters about where candidates stand, the national Planned Parenthood Action Fund has also launched a digital voter guide to educate voters about candidates for running for state and federal offices.

“Reproductive health and rights will be a deciding issue in this election, and voters trust Planned Parenthood to make sure they know where each candidate stands. PPAF is proud to endorse these passionate candidates and committed lawmakers who will stand up against attempts to limit access to care and will champion women’s health,” Childs-Roshak said.

Background:

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF) is the advocacy and political arm of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM). As a non-partisan entity, PPAF offers all candidates, regardless of party, an opportunity to complete its candidate questionnaire and seek the endorsement of PPAF.

A June 2016 poll found 74 percent of Massachusetts voters support access to safe, legal abortion. When it comes to a candidate’s position on reproductive rights, 79 percent said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who says decisions about abortion should be left to a woman, in consultation with her doctor, while 83 percent said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who wants to ban safe, legal abortion.