Abortion Rights Win In Virginia 

PPAV-endorsed candidates won key races to secure abortion rights majorities in Virginia General Assembly

Richmond, Va  - Today, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia-endorsed candidates won in key races across the Commonwealth. Abortion was a dominating issue this cycle, and these champions campaigned on blocking any attempts to ban abortion in Virginia. Tonight’s election results are a critical first step toward a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom. 

Planned Parenthood Virginia PAC invested nearly $1,000,000 in Senate races and $900,000 in House races, communicating directly with voters that Abortion is on the Ballot and the importance of voting this year. This includes paid and volunteer canvassing and phone banking, direct mail supporting candidates, and a robust digital program. PPVA PAC made significant investments in six Senate campaigns, including the races of Senators-elect Schuyler VanValkenburg, Aaron Rouse, Danica Roem, and Russet Perry. In the House of Delegates, there were major investments in Delegates-elect Josh Thomas, Josh Cole, Nadarius Clark, Phil Hernandez, and Michael Feggans. 

Statement from Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:

“Today proved that when abortion rights are on the ballot, reproductive freedom wins. Virginians loudly proclaimed their support for abortion rights champions, electing pro-reproductive rights majorities in the State Senate and House of Delegates. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia-endorsed candidates unapologetically made abortion a central issue, and voters responded with a clear message: They don’t want an abortion ban in Virginia.

Voters were not fooled by the GOP’s attempt to rebrand their extreme anti-abortion agenda or distracted by their disingenuous tactics. Anti-abortion candidates tried everything to win. Candidates scrubbed their anti-abortion views from their websites, only expressed their true desires to ban abortion when caught on undercover videos, and sent deceitful mailers denying their plans. But voters saw through their lies and rejected their radical agenda.

This is a critical victory for health care access and the future of abortion rights in our commonwealth. We look forward to working with all of our allies in the General Assembly who will boldly champion Virginians’ reproductive freedom next legislative session.”

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia announced endorsements of 108 candidates early this summer. Planned Parenthood Virginia PAC worked with supporters across the commonwealth to ensure voters knew what was at stake in this election. Planned Parenthood Virginia PAC reached thousands of voters through phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, a robust direct mail program and digital ads targeting thousands of voters. 

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia (PPAV) is a statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to preserve and broaden access to reproductive health care through legislation, public education, electoral activity and litigation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. PPAV works to ensure that individuals and families have the freedom, information, and ability to make their own informed reproductive choices.