Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Statement on Spring Election Wins

Statement from Mike Murray, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin (PPAWI):

“PPAWI is thrilled to congratulate all of our endorsed candidates including: Judge Jill Karofsky (Wisconsin State Supreme Court), Brett Blomme (Milwaukee County Circuit Court), Rebecca Kiefer (Milwaukee County Circuit Court), JoCasta Zamarripa (Milwaukee Aldermanic Distict 8), Marina Dimitrijevic (Milwaukee Aldermanic District 14), Alex Joers (Dane County Board District 9), Blaire Adkins (Dane County Board District 16), Koby Schellenger (Winnebago County Board District 23), and Angelito Tenorio (West Allis Aldermanic District 1) on their victories tonight. We are confident that Judge Karofsky will bring balance and integrity to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and uphold the law, including when it comes to women’s health.”

“In addition to our excitement for our endorsed candidates, we must acknowledge the manner in which this election was held. The decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to require the election to be held on April 7 undermined Wisconsin’s democracy and endangered the public’s health. Voter disenfranchisement was further compounded by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overrule an extension of the deadline by which absentee ballots would be counted. Our elected officials must commit themselves to taking decisive action to ensure that Wisconsinites are never again forced to choose between voting or risking their own health as well as the safety of others.”

“The results tonight send a clear message: Wisconsinites are committed to upholding our state’s proud tradition of civic engagement, even in the face of politicized attempts to undermine their right to vote. The sheer number of individuals who came together with the resolve to vote in the midst of a pandemic, multiple lawsuits, long wait times and all that they were personally managing during this public health crisis was simply powerful. In order to address these challenges, PPAWI shifted our work to focus on digital voter mobilization. Our volunteers texted over 72,000 text messages to Wisconsinites across the state to assist them in voter registration, requesting of absentee ballots and the return of absentee ballots.”

“As we celebrate these victories, we will continue to mobilize our supporters to hold our elected officials accountable and fight for policies that create a more just Wisconsin for everyone, including policies that promote women’s health an protect our democracy”

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. PPAWI engages in legislative and educational activity and works to elect candidates to office that support these goals.