Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund endorses Sue Chalifoux Zephir for state Senate
Contact: Johanna Kaiser, [email protected], 617-515-0531
For Immediate Release: Nov. 27, 2017
FITCHBURG – The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF) has endorsed Sue Chalifoux Zephir to represent the Worcester and Middlesex District in the Massachusetts Senate. PPAF is the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, and works to elect bold sexual and reproductive health champions like Chalifoux Zephir to the Massachusetts legislature.
Sue Chalifoux Zephir will be a steadfast champion of reproductive rights and will work to increase access to quality health care in the communities of North Central Massachusetts. We need elected officials like Sue if we want Massachusetts to lead the nation with smart sexual and reproductive health policies. The choice is clear, and Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund is proud to endorse Sue Chalifoux Zephir for state Senate.
Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, PPAF president
Chalifoux Zephir is running for the state Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jen Flanagan. Voters in Berlin, Bolton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Sterling, Townsend, Westminster, and precincts 1 and 2 of Clinton will be able to vote for her on Tuesday, December 5.
As a Leominster City Councilor, executive director of a nonprofit food pantry, and a lifelong resident of Leominster, Sue has devoted her career to advocating for her community. She understands the importance of women’s health in her district and is the only candidate in the race committed to protecting patients’ access to sexual and reproductive health care.
Fitchburg City Councilor Dean Tran has repeatedly stated he would oppose state efforts to ensure MassHealth patients can continue to receive preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers if the federal government’s enacts a “defunding” scheme. In addition, Tran has been a vocal opponent of Planned Parenthood actively working to restrict health care access for Fitchburg women. As a City Councilor, Tran authored a failed resolution in 2010 opposing Planned Parenthood’s health center in the community. Office of Campaign and Political Finance records show Tran accepted campaign contributions from Massachusetts Citizens for Life.
Councilor Tran’s record of opposing access to basic health care for Fitchburg women, men and young people is deeply unsettling. We cannot allow dangerous views like his to steer the agenda of the Massachusetts Senate, especially as D.C. politicians wage attacks on women’s health. Sue Chalifoux Zephir will not only protect Massachusetts from federal threats, she will work to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care and comprehensive sex education in order to build healthier communities.
Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, PPAF president
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