With Abortion Access on the Line, Here are the Key Candidates to Watch in Washington
For Immediate Release: Sept. 27, 2022
SEATTLE, WA — This November, Washington voters are energized and motivated to take control, with reproductive rights top-of-mind as they wait for ballots to arrive. The threat to abortion access - access proven to be popular in Washington - is imminent as extremist politicians push to strip people of their rights and double down on their commitments to do so if they gain power in Washington. The contrast on the ballot is night and day.
Across the country, we’re seeing abortion rights becoming a key issue in the 2022 midterm elections. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has inspired surges in voter registration and political participation from pro-abortion rights voters across the country, including a 55 percent increase in female voters. Here are five abortion rights champions to watch in 2022.
- Dr. Kim Schrier (D): Dr. Schrier’s experience as a physician means she understands the challenges people in Washington face when trying to access the health care they need. Those patients, and all people in Washington, need a champion like Dr. Schrier to keep fighting for their access to care. When it comes to women’s healthcare, reproductive rights, and children’s health, Dr. Kim Schrier is a critical voice.
- Emily Randall (D): Randall is among the Legislature’s biggest champions of abortion rights, especially when compared to her extremist opponent on the topic. At the legislature she has sponsored multiple pieces of legislation improving equitable access to health care for all Washingtonians.
- Patty Murray (D): Time and time again, Murray has proven herself to be the strongest and most steadfast fighter for reproductive rights in the U.S. Senate. She has championed critical protections for family planning funding, defended against relentless attacks on abortion rights, and shown strong and visionary leadership for our state.
- Claudia Kauffman (D): Kauffman has committed to upholding progressive values such as the essential right to an abortion. She understands having access to abortion, birth control and health care information means more choices, economic security, and opportunities for the future.
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D): As a Latina woman, a fifth-generation Washingtonian, a small business owner, and a mother, Marie has made access to abortion care and support for working women cornerstones of her campaign. She will fight to ensure that all people have access to the reproductive health care they need and will defend her district against a dangerous and extremist opponent who seeks to divide communities.
“Your right to control your own body is on the ballot this November. Together, we have the power to elect reproductive health care champions who will unapologetically protect and advocate for safe, legal abortion,” said Courtney Normand, Washington State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. “If not, we will allow candidates who oppose our rights to endanger our lives and criminalize essential health care.”