In First General Elections Since Fall of Roe V. Wade, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes Celebrates Re-election of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Candidates Across Four States who will Protect Reproductive Rights 

In a victory for reproductive rights in the first general elections after the overruling of Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes (PPGPV) is celebrating midterm candidates from executive to state and local offices endorsed by the organization across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. In a major win in Kansas – just months after the state overwhelmingly voted to protect abortion rights – voters turned out to further preserve access by re-electing Governor Laura Kelly and rejecting anti-abortion politician Derek Schmidt.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes PAC, as part of Planned Parenthood’s advocacy and political organizations’ 2022 electoral program, “Take Control,” invested six-figures into the race through paid phone, direct mail, and digital programs to help re-elect Governor Laura Kelly. 

In another victory in Kansas, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids – a fierce defender of reproductive rights and ally in Congress – was re-elected to a newly drawn district three in the greater Kansas City area. 

 In Arkansas, Frank Scott Jr. was re-elected as mayor of Little Rock. He has been an outspoken advocate in a state that swiftly moved to ban all abortions in the wake of overturning of Roe. 

Statement from Emily Wales, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes: 

“Today, it’s clear voters knew what was at stake up and down the ballot as anticipated midterm conservative shifts didn’t play out as predicted. Perhaps more than anywhere else in the country, residents of these Great Plains states witnessed the cruelty and damage anti-abortion politicians inflicted on our communities this past year by passing total bans and interfering with personal health care decisions.”

 “Even during this heartbreaking time for reproductive rights, we continue to see the power of the voters in places like Kansas, where the people took action to protect abortion just months ago. Last night was yet another reminder that the voters trust and believe in leaders who trust and believe in them. Governor Laura Kelly has long been a crucial ally in the fight for fundamental rights, and we’re thrilled for her continued leadership.”

“Ultimately, we know care that isn’t available locally is not accessible. We’re encouraged by the candidates for state and local offices who won their races while openly advocating for reproductive rights – often defeating extremist opponents who seemed intent not only on further restricting reproductive health care access, but access to the ballot as well. To all our endorsed candidates who stood up for reproductive rights, we thank you for your visible and vocal support. Today, we celebrate the victories and tomorrow we get back to work fighting for all people to have the same rights, regardless of where they live.” 

Throughout the four-state region, voters elected a strong field of reproductive rights advocates endorsed by PPGPV, who will be headed to state legislatures to protect and restore a person’s ability to take control of the decisions that are best for their families, their bodily autonomy, and their long-term emotional and financial well-being.

In the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, PPGPV’s endorsed candidates are united by a shared goal to defend and protect fundamental rights and access to essential health care. By receiving the PPGP Votes endorsement, all candidates recognize that access to essential reproductive health care saves lives and secures futures.