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Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts Announces Boston and Worcester City Council Endorsements 

Contact: Caroline Kimball-Katz, [email protected]

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2023 (Updated: Aug. 15, 2023, 1:09 p.m.)


PPAF endorsed candidates who will be bold, effective, unapologetic champions for reproductive rights and health equity 

BOSTON – Today the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF) announced its first round of endorsements for the 2023 municipal election with a slate of five candidates for Boston City Council and a slate of seven candidates for Worcester City Council.  

In Boston, PPAF has backed incumbent councilors Ruthzee Louijeune (At-Large), Julia Mejia (At-Large), Gabriela Coletta (District 1), and two first-time candidates, Matt Patton for District 3 and Henry Santana for At-Large.   

In Worcester, PPAF has backed incumbent councilors Etel Haxhiaj (District 5) and Thu Nguyen (At-Large), as well as newcomers Jenny Pacillo for District 1, Robert Bilotta for District 2, and Johanna Hampton-Dance, Maydeé Morales, and Domenica Perrone for At-Large. 

“Support for reproductive rights and abortion access is at an all-time high, and we know voters want their elected leaders at every level of government to fight for their right to bodily autonomy and quality, accessible health care,” said Dr. Nate Horwitz-Willis, Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. “PPAF is proud to endorse a group of candidates for city council that have proven records and clear visions for advancing reproductive health equity in their community. These candidates will not only be effective, unapologetic champions for reproductive rights but are also committed to taking action to ensure residents have access to medically accurate, unbiased information about sexual and reproductive health care and their options, as well as comprehensive sex education.”  

PPAF endorses candidates who have strong records supporting reproductive rights and who will prioritize health equity and patients’ access to sexual and reproductive health care in the face of the most severe attacks and restrictions on bodily autonomy in 50 years. While the right to abortion is protected in Massachusetts under the ROE Act, PPAF’s legislative priorities focus on making abortion more accessible and affordable statewide, protecting patients and providers that seek or deliver care that is legal in Massachusetts, expanding access to birth control and comprehensive sex education across the state, and combating systemic health inequities especially for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.  

To earn PPAF’s endorsement, candidates must fill-out a questionnaire that evaluates their support for PPAF’s legislative priorities and win a two-thirds vote from the PPAF Board. 

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