BREAKING: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Endorses First Round of Local Candidates in 2020 Elections
For Immediate Release: March 2, 2020 (Updated: March 2, 2020, 4:14 p.m.)
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
For immediate release: March 2, 2020
Contact: Stephanie Kollmann Baker, [email protected], 614-969-9470
BREAKING: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Endorses First Round of Local Candidates in 2020 Elections
Columbus, OH – Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio (PPAO) is proud to announce their first round of endorsed candidates for state races in 2020.
For years, Planned Parenthood has been under siege from state and national leaders trying to limit or outright eliminate access to reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion, and comprehensive sexual health education. Now more than ever it is vital that we stand with candidates who stand with Planned Parenthood, and who are committed to guaranteeing reproductive health care for Ohioans, regardless of their income, zip code, or insurance status.
Statement from Bridgette Tupes, Board Chair at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio:
“Ohio is ground zero for irresponsible and dangerous federal and state policy targeting reproductive health care access, education, and funding. Our health care is under constant threat because of the restrictions passed by former governor John Kasich and now Gov. Mike DeWine. We need elected officials who our patients and supporters can count on – who will, without reservation, preserve and invest in reproductive health care and sexual health education for all Ohioans.”
Our endorsed reproductive rights defenders:
Sen. Vernon Sykes, District 28
Rep. Phil Robinson, District 6
Rep. Kent Smith, District 8
Rep. Janine Boyd, District 9
Rep. Terrence Upchurch, District 10
Rep. Stephanie Howse, District 11
Rep. Juanita Brent, District 12
Rep. Mike Skindell, District 13
Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, District 14
Rep. Adam Miller, District 17
Rep. Kristin Boggs, District 18
Rep. Mary Lightbody, District 19
Rep. Rich Brown, District 20
Rep. Beth Liston, District 20
Rep. David Leland, District 22
Rep. Allison Russo, District 24
Rep. Erica Crawley, District 26
Rep. Jessica Miranda, District 28
Rep. Brigid Kelly, District 31
Rep. Catherine Ingram, District 32
Rep. Sedrick Denson, District 33
Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, District 34
Rep. Tavia Galonski, District 35
Rep. Casey Weinstein, District 37
Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson, District 44
Rep. Lisa Sobecki, District 45
Rep. Michael Sheehy, District 46
Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan, District 58
Rep. Thomas West, District 49
Rep. Randi Clites, District 75
The 30 candidates PPAO has endorsed represent communities all over Ohio that benefit from access to sexual and reproductive health care and education. PPAO represents 23 health centers in both of Ohio’s Planned Parenthood affiliates, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. More than 80,000 patients received services from Planned Parenthood health centers in Ohio last year.
These endorsed candidates have demonstrated their commitment to defending bodily autonomy for their constituents. We look forward to working with these dedicated civil servants to not only protect, but expand access to reproductive health care in Ohio.
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying. www.ppao.org