Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Announces Endorsements in 2022 Statewide Races
February 28, 2022
Brandon Richards, Director of Communications
[email protected]
PPAC Launches “Roe the Vote” Electoral Campaign
SACRAMENTO—Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) announces its endorsements for statewide races including Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Controller.
“Let’s be clear: abortion rights are on the ballot,” said Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “California’s leadership in protecting this constitutional right is in large part possible because of the champions we elect, and there are no better leaders on the ballot in 2022 to build on California’s Reproductive Freedom state status than those being endorsed today. With Roe v Wade likely to be overturned this year, it is imperative Californians continue to elect people who will protect and expand access to abortion.”
With the threat to abortion rights and reproductive health care greater than ever, it is essential California continues to lead the way in the fight for Reproductive Freedom, including expanding access to abortion care for Californians and for patients forced to seek care here from other states that restrict access to abortion. The leaders being endorsed by PPAC today have strong records of standing with Planned Parenthood in the fight to protect and expand sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion.
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is endorsing the following candidates for the 2022 election:
- Gavin Newsom for California Governor
- Eleni Kounalakis for California Lieutenant Governor
- Dr. Shirley Weber for California Secretary of State
- Rob Bonta for California Attorney General
- Fiona Ma for California Treasurer
- Ricardo Lara for California Insurance Commissioner
- Tony Thurmond for California Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Malia Cohen & Ron Galperin for California Controller
Along with the endorsements, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is launching a two-pronged electoral campaign called “Roe the Vote,” which will focus on activating Planned Parenthood supporters, and other voters concerned about abortion access, across California to engage with and vote in the November 2022 midterm elections, as well as encourage candidates to highlight their records and lay out their agenda for abortion rights on the campaign trail.
With 2021 being the worst year for abortion rights since Roe v Wade was decided, including multiple abortion rights cases before the U.S. Supreme Court—specifically Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization which could overturn Roe v Wade—2022 is shaping up to be the most consequential year since 1973.
“At a time when other state leaders are pushing extreme bans that are dangerous and unconstitutional, Californians have an opportunity to elect true champions of sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, this November—providing nationwide leadership and a blueprint for other states seeking to take proactive action, something voters clearly want,” said Hicks.
Recent polling found that an overwhelming number of California voters are paying close attention to the potential loss of the constitutional right to abortion. A vast majority prefer a candidate who will support expanding reproductive freedom and legal access and are much more likely to support a candidate who supports new protections for abortion care. Additionally, a majority of ‘surge voters’ said they are more likely to vote in 2022 because of the attacks on abortion access in states outside of California. More here.
Planned Parenthood is encouraging candidates to center their record and their agenda for abortion rights and access to meet the moment. PPAC will be working closely with candidates on messaging, research, and the overall benefits of running on protecting and expanding sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion.
In the final weeks of the Republican-led recall effort last year, there was significant focus on abortion access—showing that centering abortion rights is a popular and winning issue. In fact, Governor Newsom talked regularly about his long record standing up for reproductive freedom, while the leading Republican continually doubled down on opposing the protections afforded under Roe v Wade, even calling it among the worst Supreme Court decisions in history.
“Planned Parenthood’s issues are winning issues. We know campaigns are successful when they center abortion rights and sexual and reproductive health care, and we expect, given the moment we are in, that candidates up and down the ballot will talk boldly and frequently about their efforts to actualize California’s status as a Reproductive Freedom state and that’s exactly what we need and expect,” concluded Hicks.
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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of sexual and reproductive health care and sex education.